Fresh debate in Congress over Trump’s war powers
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan clutch of rankand-file lawmakers seized on President Donald Trump’s order for a lethal missile strike against an Iranian leader to spark a new debate over the parameters for instigating military action, while congressional leaders sparred over who might have received advanced notice.
“We’re now at a boiling point, and Congress must step in before Trump puts even more of our troops in harm’s way,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.
Kaine later unveiled plans to use privileges in the War Powers Act to at least force votes on a debate in the Senate, hoping to rein in Trump’s ability to wage war without congressional actions.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who played an instrumental role in coaxing Trump away from a strike against Iran in June, issued statements praising the killing of Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, but demanding a fulsome debate.
“The question today is whether the assassination of Soleimani will expand the war to endanger the lives of every American soldier or diplomat in the Middle East? If we are to go to war w/ Iran the Constitution dictates that we declare war. A war without a Congressional declaration is a recipe for feckless intermittent eruptions of violence w/ no clear mission for our soldiers,” Paul wrote Friday morning on Twitter.
Top Republicans showed little interest in renewing the debate.
“This is a military operation, it is not a legislative operation, and as such it is being conducted by the military commanders, including the commander in chief,” said Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has oversight of war resolutions.
Risch, who spoke with Trump and other senior officials Friday, pledged to hold classified briefings and hearings about the threats Soleimani posed and the rationale behind the strikes against him as he visited allies at the Baghdad airport. But he does not expect formal AUMF hearings.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, lauded the strike as long overdue justice.
“For too long, this evil man operated without constraint, and countless innocents have suffered for it,” he said. “Now his terrorist leadership has been ended.”
McConnell said he had spoken with the defense secretary, Mark T. Esper, and asked that the administration brief lawmakers early next week on the strike, a request mirroring one by Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Thursday night. He said Senate staff aides would receive a classified briefing on the strike later Friday.
Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, called on the administration to “immediately” provide answers to lawmakers, chiding Trump for failing to consult with congressional leaders on its rationale, strategy and plans for the aftermath before launching the strike.
“The administration did not consult in this case, and I fear that those very serious questions have not been answered and may not be fully considered,” Schumer said.
It is unclear exactly which lawmakers were given advance notice of the strike. Pelosi said that Congress had not been consulted; an aide said she spoke with Esper after the attack was conducted.