Kaine: Votes in hand to limit Trump on Iran
WASHINGTON — Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said Tuesday that he has at least 51 votes to support a bipartisan resolution asserting that President Donald Trump must seek approval from Congress before engaging in further military action against Iran.
Kaine said the Senate could vote as soon as next week on the measure, which is co-sponsored by
Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky. GOP Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Susan Collins of Maine said Tuesday that they will support it.
The bipartisan resolution “clearly states that America can always defend itself,” against attack from Iran or any other country, Kaine said, “but we don’t think that this president — or any president — should send our troops into war without a vote of Congress.”
Kaine has long pushed for congressional action reasserting congressional power to declare war, but he said Tuesday he has received renewed support after the Trump administration killed Iran’s top general earlier this month. Tehran responded to the U.S. attack by launching missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops. No serious casualties were reported.
Kaine said he has removed, at Republicans’ request, language that targeted Trump. Instead the measure is a general statement declaring that Congress has the sole power to declare war and directing the president to terminate use of military force against Iran or any part of its government without approval from Congress.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opposes the resolution, saying it would send the wrong message to U.S. allies.
The Democratic-controlled House passed a separate resolution last week.