US Democrats introduce resolution to check Trump’s use of military against Iran
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US President Donald Trump, accompanied by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 21.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – Three Democratic lawmakers from the US House of Representatives introduced a war powers resolution on June 23 to check President Donald Trump's use of military force against Iran after US strikes on Tehran's nuclear sites over the weekend.
Mr Trump's Republican Party holds a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate and it is unlikely any resolution restricting Mr Trump's actions could pass both chambers.
Iran targeted a US base in Qatar on June 23 in retaliation. The Israel-Iran war, which began on June 13 when Israel attacked its regional rival, further raised tensions in a region already on edge since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023.
The joint statement issued late on June 23 by Democratic US representatives Jim Himes, Gregory Meeks and Adam Smith came hours after Mr Trump claimed on social media that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire.
"President Trump must not be allowed to start a war with Iran, or any country, without Congressional approval," the lawmakers said, adding that Mr Trump ordered the strikes "without meaningful consultation or Congressional authorisation".
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers had called on Congress to rein in Mr Trump's use of military force in Iran and prevent US involvement in the conflict. Many Democratic US lawmakers said Mr Trump's actions were unconstitutional and that it was Congress that had the power to declare war on foreign countries.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said earlier on June 23 that it was not the time to consider a war powers resolution.
Mr Trump's allies insist he had the authority to take unilateral action against Iran to eliminate what they called a potential nuclear threat posed by Tehran.
The Democratic lawmakers said Mr Trump's actions appeared broader.
"The President has posted on social media about regime change, undermining any claim that this was a narrowly tailored operation to eliminate a nuclear threat," the Democratic lawmakers said, referring to a June 22 post
"No thoughtful deliberation nor careful planning occurred here – and serious actions demand serious debate, not presidential impulse," they added.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons and says its war against Iran aims to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons.
Iran, which says its nuclear program is peaceful, is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty while Israel is not. REUTERS
