Nearly every Republican voted to block a measure that would require that President Trump win authorization from Congress to continue the offensive in the Middle East.
The administration’s shifting justifications for the military operation alarmed Democrats, who said no clear rationale had been given. Republicans struggled to echo the evolving explanations.
The United States and Israel started a war with Iran by killing its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Lawmakers questioned whether the United States faced an “imminent” threat from Iran, a requirement for the president to lawfully initiate military action without congressional approval.
Critics say the president is violating the Constitution, and many Democrats and at least two Republicans in Congress say they must vote on whether to enter such a conflict.
Critics say the president is violating the Constitution, and many Democrats and at least two Republicans in Congress say they must vote on whether to enter such a conflict.
Following the attack, Democrats and a few Republicans escalated their calls for swift votes on whether to curb the president’s power to continue using force against Iran without explicit authorization.
Democrats reacted with outrage after the Trump administration, which has yet to consult with Congress on its strikes against Iran, delayed a planned briefing with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
The Democrats pressing for a vote to require congressional approval for any further military action against Iran are proposing to narrow the measure to draw maximum support from a divided party.
The Democrats pressing for a vote to require congressional approval for any further military action against Iran are proposing to narrow the measure to draw maximum support from a divided party.