Lawmakers Propose Measures to Prevent U.S. Involvement in Israel's Conflict with Iran
Amid the ongoing exchange of blows between Israel and Iran in the Middle East, American lawmakers are cooking up bills and resolutions to keep the US from diving headfirst into Israel's military skirmish with Iran.
Though it's still in its infancy, these legislative attempts are unlikely to rally enough backing to thwart President Donald Trump and the Republican-dominated Congress.
On Monday, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, tossed his hat in the ring, introducing a resolution dubbed the "Peace with Iran Act," which is designed to thwart any war with Iran. With concerns mounting over the possibility of the US gaining a foothold in Israel's campaign against Iran, Kaine shared his worries that the recent escalation of hostilities could pull the United States into another unending conflict.
Separately, Bernie Sanders, the independent Senator from Vermont, dropped the No War Against Iran Act on Monday. This bill aims to bar the use of federal funds for any military action against Iran, absent explicit Congressional authorization. Sanders' resolution earned the backing of several Democratic senators, including Peter Welch, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, Ed Markey, Tammy Baldwin, and Tina Smith.
Sanders stated, "[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's reckless and unlawful attacks violate international law and risk igniting a regional war. Congress must make it crystal clear that the United States will not become embroiled in Netanyahu's war of choice." Sanders insisted that the Constitution reserves the power of war and peace exclusively for the American people's elected representatives in Congress, and it's crucial to establish that the President lacks the authority to start another costly war without explicit Congressional approval.
It's essential to note that while the proposed resolutions are a powerful statement of opposition to a potential US involvement in a conflict with Iran, they lack legal authority. On the other hand, acts do have legal clout, but even if passed by the Republican-controlled Congress, they must be signed into law by the President.
In the House, Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, teamed up with California Democrat Ro Khanna to introduce a bipartisan War Powers resolution on Tuesday, aiming to guarantee that Congress reasserts its constitutional authority to wage war against Iran as per 50 U.S. Code Ch. 33.
"This is not our battle. But if it were, Congress must make the call according to our Constitution," Massie explained. "I'm proposing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow to prohibit our involvement in the conflict. I invite all members of Congress to lend their support to this resolution."
Khanna, one of the bill's initial backers, quote-tweeted Massie's post, advocating for "No war in Iran," and drawing parallels between today's debate over Iran's nuclear capabilities and Operation Iraqi Freedom—the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.
"No war in Iran. It's high time for every representative to go on the record. Are you on the side of the neocons who propelled us into Iraq, or do you stand with the American people?" Khanna posted. "I am delighted to co-lead this bipartisan War Powers Resolution with Rep. Massie that is privileged and requires a vote."
Following Massie's and Khanna's statements, New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Squad member Rashida Tlaib of Michigan broadcast their support for the campaign.
Ocasio-Cortez, in response to Massie, said she would "join the ranks," while Tlaib emphasized that the American people wouldn't fall for "it" again. In contrast to the current discussion about Iran's nuclear capabilities to October 2002, when Congress passed a bipartisan Authorization for the Use of Military Force ahead of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Tlaib criticized Trump's proposed war without Congressional approval as unconstitutional.
- The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran in the Middle East have sparked international politics, with American lawmakers introducing bills and resolutions to prevent the US from engaging in war-and-conflicts with Iran without explicit policy-and-legislation.
- Senator Bernie Sanders, from Vermont, has presented the No War Against Iran Act, aiming to bar the use of federal funds for any military action against Iran, absent Congressional authorization. This action echoes concerns voiced by General-news outlets regarding the potential for the US to become embroiled in another unending war.
- In a joint effort, Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna have introduced a bipartisan War Powers resolution, emphasizing the urgency of reasserting Congress' constitutional authority to legislate on policy-and-legislation concerning war-and-conflicts, such as military action against Iran.
