The Senate voted 55-45 Thursday to pass Tim Kaine’s War Powers resolution that prevents further escalation of hostilities with Iran without congressional authorization.
Eight Republicans bucked President Trump’s opposition to the measure.
The House passed a similar resolution last month, meaning the two chambers would have to work out their differences to put a bill with language suitable to both back up for approval.
Then that bill would need to go to the president’s desk, and, yeah, you know where that’s going.
It would take two-thirds votes from each body to override that veto.
You’re not going to get two-thirds, so, this is all symbolic, like so much is when it comes to putting limits on Trump is these days.
Kaine, D-Va., seemed to acknowledge as much in a statement after Thursday’s vote.
“With passage of this resolution, we sent a powerful message that we don’t support starting a war with Iran unless Congress votes that military action is necessary,” Kaine said. “If we’re to order our young men and women in uniform to risk their lives and health in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation. After years of Congress avoiding its constitutional duty on matters of war, I’m grateful that a bipartisan majority of Senators affirmed that the president cannot send our troops into conflict without authorization.”
“Presidential administrations from both parties have traditionally consulted with Congress before taking the country to war for good reason,” said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. “Not only is congressional consultation required by the Constitution, but it also creates a process for the airing of outside perspectives that might not otherwise be considered – ensuring that difficult questions are thought through, and blind spots exposed. Frankly, this process is essential when the stakes are so high, when we are talking about escalating a conflict with serious, long-term consequences and potentially putting American men and women in harm’s way.”
It might be essential, but not enough Republicans will agree, because Trump.
Story by Chris Graham
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