Latest news with #WarPowersResolutionof
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
War Powers Act Explained as Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna Push House Resolution
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers, led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California introduced a War Powers Resolution Tuesday, just days before President Donald Trump authorized a military strike on three key nuclear facilities in Iran. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted to limit the president's ability to commit U.S. armed forces to hostilities abroad without Congressional consent. The current legislative push invokes the act's provisions and highlights persistent congressional frustration over what many see as executive overreach in the deployment of military force. Khanna called for Congress to return to Washington, D.C., to vote on the measure, which he said Sunday had up to 50 co-sponsors across both parties. Why It Matters The House resolution spotlights a critical debate over constitutional war powers at a moment when U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts risks escalation. Lawmakers are seeking to reinforce Congress's authority to declare war amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel and amid U.S. military actions that, according to critics, may exceed presidential powers. The House initiative mirrors concurrent moves in the Senate, where Democratic Virginia Senator Tim Kaine and others have advanced parallel resolutions to restrict executive military action in Iran without legislative consent. This legislative surge reflects mounting concerns about the scope and legality of recent U.S. military activity abroad. United States Capitol Building, Washington DC, October 27, 2024. United States Capitol Building, Washington DC, October 27, 2024. Getty What To Know Massie introduced the War Powers Resolution on Tuesday, emphasizing that the U.S. Constitution vests the power to declare war with Congress, not the President. Massie invited participation from lawmakers across the aisle, underscoring bipartisan concern about unauthorized military actions, Newsweek previously reported. Khanna quickly co-sponsored the measure and publicly called for Congress to reconvene and vote. "Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority, but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution," Khanna said in a press release. "Trump's strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk," Khanna said. "Congress needs to come back to DC immediately to vote on Rep. Thomas Massie and my bipartisan War Powers Resolution to ensure there is no further conflict and escalation." "Americans want diplomacy, not more costly wars. We need to deescalate and pursue a path of peace," Rep. Khanna concluded. The resolution has garnered support from 50 House members, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Pramila Jayapal. The list remains heavily Democrat, though more Republicans may break with the party in the coming days as the aftermath of Trump's military strikes continue to play out. What People Are Saying Rep. Ro Khanna, Democrat of California, said in an official statement "Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority, but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution. Trump's strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk. Congress needs to come back to DC immediately to vote on Rep. Thomas Massie and my bipartisan War Powers Resolution to ensure there is no further conflict and escalation. Americans want diplomacy, not more costly wars. We need to deescalate and pursue a path of peace." President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, in part: "Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky is not MAGA, even though he likes to say he is. Actually, MAGA doesn't want him, doesn't know him, and doesn't respect him. He is a negative force who almost always Votes "NO," no matter how good something may be. He's a simple minded "grandstander" who thinks it's good politics for Iran to have the highest level Nuclear weapon, while at the same time yelling "DEATH TO AMERICA" at every chance they get." What Happens Next The House War Powers Resolution is scheduled for a mandatory floor vote within 15 days under the chamber's rules. Parallel debates are ongoing in the Senate. As U.S. lawmakers weigh the resolution, the outcome may set new precedents for executive military authority and the balance of war powers between Congress and the White House.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
President Trump should end Iran's endless war on the world
For more than 40 years, Iran has waged a relentless shadow war against the U.S., its allies, and the free world. From the 1979 hostage crisis to its proxy terrorism, from nuclear brinkmanship to the chants of 'Death to America,' from cyberattacks to assassination plots, Tehran's aggression has been unyielding. Amid the clamor of diplomatic platitudes and partisan squabbles, a clear truth stands out: It is both a moral imperative and a cornerstone of American survival to end this endless war — not through appeasement, but through resolute strength. Iran is not a regional irritant but a global predator. Its threats are not theoretical. It is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism and it has American blood on its hands. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has fueled attacks through such proxies as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, killing hundreds of U.S. servicemembers — 603 in Iraq alone, according to a 2019 Pentagon report. Its militias target our bases, its assassins target our leaders, its cyber-assaults probe our infrastructure, and its leaders openly promise our destruction. President Trump has full constitutional and statutory authority to respond to attacks against the U.S. without waiting for congressional permission. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 makes that clear. The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force reinforces it. There is bipartisan agreement — even if it is selectively remembered. Why trust Trump to end this threat? Because unlike the armchair critics obsessed with avoiding so-called 'endless wars,' Trump actually has a record of strategic restraint paired with decisive action, prioritizing targeted operations over prolonged engagements. For example, he hit the Houthis for six weeks, not six years. He took on ISIS, dismantled its caliphate in two years, and walked away. He took out Qassem Soleimani — arguably the most dangerous terrorist on the planet at the time — and avoided the regional war that everyone said would follow. He did the same with Qasim al-Raymi, the leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. He pushed back on al-Shabaab in Somalia, and then exited on his own terms. So Trump is not known to start wars. He responds to and ends threats — with precision, resolve and zero appetite for forever conflicts. That's not warmongering — that's peace through strength. The stakes are escalating. Iran's imminent pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens to upend the Middle East. A nuclear-armed Tehran would spark a regional arms race, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey racing to match it. Our troops in Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq would face immediate danger. Iran's terror networks, shielded by a nuclear deterrent, would strike with impunity. Ending Iran's war on the world does not mean diving into another quagmire. It demands a strategy of strength: airtight sanctions, unwavering support for allies like Israel, and targeted measures to disrupt Iran's nuclear and terror networks. Israel stands as our forward shield, delivering intelligence and military innovations like Iron Dome that bolster our own defenses. U.S. aid to Israel, spent on American defense jobs, is an investment in our security. To abandon this partnership is not restraint — it is folly. Some argue for disengagement, claiming Iran's threats are someone else's burden. But when a regime targets our shores, isolationism is a delusion. An emboldened Iran would choke oil routes through the Strait of Hormuz, spiking prices and hitting American wallets. It would deepen ties with Russia, China and North Korea, forming an anti-Western axis. Cyberattacks, terror plots and economic shocks would follow. Ignoring Iran doesn't neutralize it — it brings it closer to home. Others push for endless diplomacy, as if words alone can sway a regime built on defiance. Negotiation has its place, but only when backed by unrelenting pressure. Weakness invites aggression; strength compels restraint. Iran, Russia and China are watching. If we falter, our global deterrence unravels, inviting conflicts far costlier than the resolve we muster today. Ending Iran's endless war is the very essence of 'America First.' It means protecting our people, our prosperity and our principles by confronting a regime that has terrorized the world for too long. It means standing with allies who share our fight, not leaving them to face our mutual enemies alone. With Trump's proven resolve, we can act with the moral clarity to secure peace — not as a hope, but as a victory, won through courage and conviction. But the clock is ticking. Iran's war on the world has raged for four decades. It is time to end it — not with wishful thinking, but with the strength that safeguards our future. Mark Goldfeder is an international lawyer and a law professor at Touro University
The Hill
03-04-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Senators introduce bipartisan bill to give Congress more power over tariffs
Senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to grant Congress more power over instituting tariffs on other countries following President Trump's announcement of wide-ranging taxes on nearly all U.S. foreign trading partners. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) — both members of the Senate Finance Committee — would 'reaffirm' the role of Congress in setting and approving trade policy, according to a release from Cantwell's office. If passed, the Trade Review Act of 2025 would require the president to notify lawmakers of an imposition or increase in tariffs within 48 hours, explaining their reasoning and providing analysis of the impact on American businesses and consumers. Congress would need to pass a joint resolution of approval for the new tariffs within 60 days or the additional taxes would expire, and it would also be able to end the tariffs at any time with a resolution of disapproval. 'Trade wars can be as devastating, which is why the Founding Fathers gave Congress the clear Constitutional authority over war and trade,' Cantwell wrote in the release. 'This bill reasserts Congress's role over trade policy to ensure rules-based trade policies are transparent, consistent, and benefit the American public.' 'Arbitrarily tariffs, particularly on our allies, damage U.S. export opportunities and raise prices for American consumers and businesses,' the Washington Democrat added. The legislation's introduction came after Trump announced a 10 percent baseline tariff on global imports and a higher rate for the 'worst offenders' on trade barriers. The taxes are set to go into effect on Friday, while the roughly 60 countries facing higher reciprocal tariffs will go into effect on April 9. Those being targeted with the reciprocal tariffs include China, Japan, India, South Korea, Taiwan and the European Union. Grassley said in the release that Congress has 'for too long' delegated its 'clear authority' to regulate interstate and foreign commerce to the executive. 'Building on my previous efforts as Finance Committee Chairman, I'm joining Senator Cantwell to introduce the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reassert Congress' constitutional role and ensure Congress has a voice in trade policy,' he said. The release states that the bill is modeled after the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires the president to notify Congress when sending troops to foreign countries without congressional approval and gives lawmakers oversight to limit their actions without that approval. A group of four Republicans joined with all Democrats on Wednesday to pass a resolution declaring opposition to the president's 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports. The resolution doesn't have the force of law but is still a symbolic gesture of disapproval of Trump's action.
