Senate approves limitation of Trump’s power to attack Iran

The resolution received the support of eight republican senators, president Trump likely to veto it.

The United States Senate passed on Thursday, a resolution, which limits the powers of the White House to command a military intervention in Iran after weeks of war tensions between the two countries. But as only eight Republican senators supported the bill, American President Donald Trump will be able to veto it after passing through the Chamber of Deputies.

The resolution, proposed by Democrat Tim Kaine, “instructs the president to end the use of the United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or armed forces, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war [which must be approved by Congress] or specific authorization.”

While Trump and other presidents “must always have the ability to defend the United States from imminent attack, the executive power to initiate war stops there,″ Kaine said. “An offensive war requires a congressional debate and vote.″ He added.

“When we stand up for the rule of law … and say, ‘This decision is fundamental, and we have rules that we are going to follow so we can make a good decision,’ that’s a message of strength,″ Kaine said. “If we’re to order our young men and women … to risk their lives in war, it should be on the basis of careful deliberation by the people’s elected legislature and not on the say-so of any one person.″

Kaine drafted the resolution in early January, after the American operation that resulted in the death of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. The episode triggered an Iranian missile attack on two bases that housed American soldiers in Iraq. In addition, the Iranian government shot down a commercial plane with 176 civilians, according to authorities, believing it was an American attack.

Of 100 senators, 55 voted in favor of the resolution, including 8 Republicans. The result, however, was 12 votes behind a two-thirds majority needed to prevent any presidential veto. Trump had indicated via Twitter on Wednesday 12 that he was opposed to the move.

“We are doing very well with Iran, and it is not time to show weakness,” tweeted the president. “Democrats are doing this only as an attempt to shame the Republican Party. Don’t let that happen!” He concluded.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wholeheartedly agrees with the author of the resolution. Senator Lee who is a strong supporter of Trump’s foreign policy, including toward Iran, nonetheless argues that Congress cannot stay away from its constitutional responsibility, which dictates it to act on matters of war and peace.

As the Senate debate made clear, “there is abundant support for the United States taking tough positions with regard to Iran,″ Lee said.” And as part of that, we want to make sure that any military action that needs to be authorized is, in fact, properly authorized by Congress. That doesn’t show weakness. That shows strength.″ He argued.