Arabic version: المشرعون يطالبون باتخاذ إجراءات بشأن سلطات الحرب بعد الضربات الأمريكية على إيران

Democratic lawmakers have condemned the US attacks on Iran as a “dangerous” and “unnecessary” escalation. They are urging the Senate to immediately vote on legislation that would block President Donald Trump’s ability to take further military action without congressional approval. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees and the primary author of the war powers resolution, called the attack a “colossal mistake.” According to Al Jazeera, Kaine stated, “The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of US forces in hostilities against Iran.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed Kaine’s call, asserting that House Democrats are committed to forcing a floor vote on a measure to restrict Trump’s war powers regarding Iran. He emphasized that Trump failed to seek Congressional authorization prior to striking Iran and criticized the abandonment of diplomacy, which he believes has left American troops vulnerable to Iran’s retaliatory actions.

The push for a legislative check on Trump’s executive power has gained significant bipartisan momentum in the Senate, where the Republican Party maintains a slim majority. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded on Saturday that Congress be briefed immediately about the Iran attacks, criticizing the administration for not providing details on the threat’s scope and immediacy.

Senator Mark Warner described the strikes as “a deeply consequential decision that risks pulling the United States into another broad conflict in the Middle East.” He questioned the urgency and intelligence behind the attack, warning of repeating “mistakes of the past,” like the Iraq war.

Interestingly, the push to curb executive military authority is not confined to Democrats. A growing contingent of Republican lawmakers has signaled a rare break from the White House to join the effort. Republican representative Thomas Massie, one of the most outspoken critics, described the strikes as “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.” Senator Rand Paul, who also co-sponsored the war powers resolution, stated that his opposition to the war is based on constitutional principles.