Senate to decide on restricting Trump's authority to go to war with Iran
13 February, 2020
THE UNITED STATES Senate opened debate on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's authority to visit war with Iran, with passage likely after eight Republicans sided with Democrats to advance the bill.
A vote on the war powers resolution could happen as early as Thursday, amid concerns that Trump could embark on open military conflict with Tehran without consulting Congress.
Passage could embarrass the president, who has been able to count on the Republicans' solid majority in the Senate to block legislation he disagrees with.
While Trump is expected to veto the legislation, he warned the Senate on Wednesday to vote it down rather than limit his policy choices.
“It is very important for our Country's SECURITY that america Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution,” he tweeted.
“We are doing perfectly with Iran and this is not the time showing weakness... If my hands were tied, Iran could have a field day. Sends an extremely bad signal. The Democrats are just doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party.”
In January the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives passed its version of the law, after Trump's order to kill Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and retaliatory missile strikes by Tehran drastically escalated tensions and raised fears of a devastating war between the two foes.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, the sponsor of the Senate resolution, said it targeted at preventing unilateral war.
“Congress has got to reassert our constitutional role in matters of war and peace,” he said.
Both chambers' versions should be reconciled before being delivered to the White House, that could all happen by the finish of February.
Source: