Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) And Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) Are among the Democrats who criticize the Biden government for Thursday night’s air strike against facilities in Syria. linked to an Iran-supported militia group, demanding that Congress be immediately informed of the matter.
Why it matters: The attacks, which the Pentagon and the National Security Council say were a response to threats against US forces in the region, constitute the first open military action by the Biden government.
What they are saying:
- Kaine: “Offensive military action without congressional approval is not constitutional, in the absence of extraordinary circumstances. Congress must be fully informed of the matter quickly.”
- Murphy: “Congress must maintain this administration to the same standard as it did with previous administrations and demand clear legal justifications for military action, especially within theaters such as Syria, where Congress has not explicitly authorized any American military action.”
- Khanna: “We cannot defend Congressional authorization before military attacks only when there is a Republican president. The government should have sought authorization from Congress here. We need to work to free ourselves from the Middle East, not to scale. “
The other side: The Pentagon said in a statement on Thursday that the attack was carried out “in response to the recent attacks on Americans and coalition officials in Iraq” and was aimed at “lessening the general situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq”.
- A National Security Council spokesman said the Pentagon had pre-notified Congress and that the government continues to inform Hill at the level of members and officials.
- “As a matter of domestic law, the president took this action in accordance with his Article II authority to defend US personnel.”
- There will be a full confidential briefing “early next week, and sooner if Congress wants to,” added the NSC spokesman.
The big picture: All three Democrats have spoken out openly against attempts by previous presidents to conduct offensive military operations without congressional approval.
- Kaine led the Senate charge of revoking the 2002 Military Force Authorization (AUMF) against Iraq and replacing the 2001 AUMF – which has been cited repeatedly by presidents to justify US military action worldwide – by a more restricted authorization.
- Kaine and Khanna also introduced resolutions passed by Congress in 2020 that would require former President Trump to obtain congressional approval before taking military action against Iran, but were vetoed by the president.