Democratic leadership announced Thursday that they will push congressional Democrats to vote next week on a war-authorization resolution related to Iran, as President Donald Trump embarks on a massive military build-up in the region. The resolution limits Trump’s ability to conduct military operations there.
Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massey, R-Ky., have introduced a measure known as a war powers resolution that would force the administration to seek congressional approval before engaging in any further activity in Iran. Congress has the sole power to declare war under the US Constitution, although that power has been expanded by the executive branch in recent years.
“As soon as Congress reconvenes next week, we will demand a vote by the full House of Representatives on the bipartisan Khanna-Massi war powers resolution,” Democratic leaders, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, said in a DNY statement.
“Iran’s regime is brutal and destabilizing, as seen recently in the killing of thousands of protesters,” the statement read. “However, embarking on a war of choice in the Middle East, without a full understanding of all the risks to our service members and escalation, is reckless.”
If passed by the House, the War Powers Resolution must be approved by the Senate. But passage by the House is far from a guaranteed outcome as lawmakers from both parties have recently lined up against the resolution.
Reps. Mike Lawler, RN.Y., and Josh Gottheimer, DN.J., released a statement opposing the measure last week, citing concerns about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
“We respect and protect the constitutional role of Congress in matters of war. Oversight and deliberation are absolutely vital,” the pair wrote. “However, this resolution restricts the flexibility needed to respond to real and evolving threats and risks, suggesting weakness at a perilous moment.”
Trump has overseen a massive military build-up in the Middle East and threatened strikes against Iran. His administration has been negotiating with Tehran over the country’s nuclear program. The two countries held the third round of talks in Geneva on Thursday.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi described the day’s talks as “significant progress” in a post on X. He said technical discussions would continue in Vienna next week and principals would meet again “soon after consultations in their respective capitals”.
The president said in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that he wanted to resolve the Iran situation diplomatically but did not take military force off the table.
“I will never allow the world’s No. 1 sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.
