Senator: Let’s not screw it up
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he opposes a Senate resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
Mr McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said on Monday that the Senate would “soon” debate a measure sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. The measure, co-sponsored by two Republicans, would send the wrong message to US allies after the Trump administration killed Iran’s top general earlier this month, Mr McConnell said.
Tehran responded to the US attack by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. No casualties were reported.
The “blunt instrument” of a war powers resolution is no substitute for “the studied oversight the Senate can exercise through hearings ... and more tailored legislation,’’ Mr McConnell said.
“We appear to have restored a measure of deterrence in the Middle East,” Mr McConnell said in a speech opening the Senate
for the week. “So let’s not screw it up.”
His remarks came amid questions and fresh explanations from the Trump administration about why it ordered a Jan. 3 strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
The Democrat-controlled House passed a separate war powers resolution last week. The House measure is not binding on the president and does not require his signature. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi nonetheless insisted it “has real teeth” because “it is a statement of the Congress of the United States.”