A bipartisan group of senators on Wednesday called for the repeal of the presidential war powers granted by Congress in 1991 and 2002, which would revoke authorization for military force in the Middle East as tensions between the U.S. and Iran increase.
Senators Tim Kaine, D-Va., And Todd Young, R-Ind., Introduced legislation that would formally end Congressional authorizations established during the Gulf and Iraq wars, to reaffirm Congress’ role in entering and ending wars .
The move comes after lawmakers were frustrated by President Biden’s unilateral call for air strikes in Syria last week against Iran-backed militant forces that had launched attacks on US targets in Iraq.
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The legislation was also introduced just hours after a military base that housed US-led coalition troops was targeted by Iraq.
“Last week’s air strikes in Syria show that the executive branch, regardless of the party, will continue to expand its powers of war,” Kaine said in a statement on Wednesday. “Congress has a responsibility not only to vote to authorize new military actions, but also to revoke old authorizations that are no longer needed.”
Democrats and Republicans have called for an end to America’s “eternal wars” and seek to revoke the president’s ability to continue military force in Iraq – although this does not necessarily limit Biden’s ability to use military action in other nations in the Middle East.
The House and Senate passed a similar measure by Kaine last year that aimed to limit President Trumps’ authority to launch military operations against Iran – although the legislation has been vetoed.
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“Congress has been operating on autopilot when it comes to our essential functions of authorizing the use of military force,” said Young. “The fact that the authorities of both wars are still laws today is illustrative of Congress’ bipartisan failure to play its constitutionally determined oversight role.”
Senators across the corridor signed in support of the Kaine-Young bill, including Sens. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Chris Coons, D-Del., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Dick Durbin, D-Ill. And Rand Paul, R-Ky.
A Pentagon spokesman called Wednesday’s attack “worrying” and was stuck with the Biden government’s decision to launch “defensive” attacks last week.
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“The president, as commander-in-chief, has a fundamental responsibility to act in self-defense of our troops and assets abroad, nothing is going to change that,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.