Republicans Back Iran Strikes While Democrats Demand a War Powers Vote

Republican leaders largely backed President Trump’s strikes with Israel on Iran on Saturday, while Democrats were divided and several lawmakers in both parties said Congress had not authorized the attack, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.

Trump said the operation aimed to defend Americans by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime, CBS reported in publishing his statement, and Al Jazeera quoted him as saying its objective was to eliminate threats. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Iran “is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” CBS and Al Jazeera reported. Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Trump for “taking action to thwart these threats,” according to both outlets. Sen. Lindsey Graham praised the strikes, and Sen. Tom Cotton also backed them, CBS and Al Jazeera reported.

Some Republicans objected. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky said he opposed the war and pledged, with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, to force a congressional vote on a War Powers Resolution, CBS and Al Jazeera reported. Khanna said Congress must convene Monday to vote on it, CBS reported, and Al Jazeera said he called for a vote as early as Monday.

Democratic reaction was mixed. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Trump failed to seek congressional authorization before striking Iran, CBS and Al Jazeera reported. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for briefings, CBS reported, and Al Jazeera said he complained that the administration had not given Congress key details about the threat. CBS reported that Schumer said Iran must never get a nuclear weapon but that Americans do not want another endless Middle East war.

Sen. John Fetterman was a notable exception among Democrats, praising Trump’s willingness to do what is necessary to produce peace, CBS and Al Jazeera reported. Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she opposes a regime-change war, according to both outlets. CBS reported that Sen. Tim Kaine called on the Senate to return immediately and vote on a bipartisan war powers resolution, while Al Jazeera reported the same call from Sen. Chris Van Hollen.

The strikes were already producing casualties and retaliation. Iran’s Red Crescent said 201 people were killed and 747 injured, PBS reported, and Al Jazeera cited the same toll of at least 201 dead. PBS and Al Jazeera reported that Iran fired at Israel and at U.S. bases in the Gulf region.

Al Jazeera described authority as the central procedural question, noting that a forced vote on the War Powers Resolution would put members on record on whether they support or oppose the war.