“I still need to be convinced that any president has the necessary authorization to carry out a retaliatory attack, especially outside Iraq,” said Murphy, noting that previous authorizations – although outdated – still allow the use of force in Iraq.
“I didn’t hear anything today that convinced me that there was a justification that I would apply to any administration,” added Murphy.
According to a separate reading of the briefing provided to POLITICO, the advisers considered the Biden government’s responses to its questions “unsatisfactory” and that “there was not much substance”.
Although Biden’s team foreshadowed greater cooperation with Congress than demonstrated by the Trump administration, the sequence missed its mark. And the Democrats have made it clear that they are not willing to let Biden pass just because of party alliances.
Senate President for Foreign Affairs Bob Menendez (DN.J.) said the Biden government has not yet scheduled a meeting for the senators on his panel, adding that he continues to push for one. Starting on Wednesday, however, the Senate will start a marathon to approve Biden’s coronavirus relief plan, which is expected to take the rest of the week to end.
“It’s kind of weird that you have a meeting with the team, but not with the members, after something so significant and serious,” said Murphy.
Senators from both parties expressed frustration that they had not received enough notice about the strikes and that Biden ordered them without first seeking Congressional approval.
“I heard about it on the news. I’m on the Armed Forces and Foreign Affairs committees. I don’t think I should learn about it that way, ”said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Who has long been pushing to control the powers of the presidential war.
Kaine added that, as Biden served as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, “he should understand more than most – more than anyone – that the Article One branch must have a role here.”
Biden told Congressional leaders that he ordered the attacks on Syria in “self-defense” after Iranian-backed militia groups attacked American forces in recent weeks. Republican hawks, such as Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, said they supported Biden’s decision, underscoring the blurring of party lines on the question of presidential powers in the war.