Iran war set to blow past 60-day mark |
Iran war set to blow past 60-day mark
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The war between the U.S. and Iran is set to run past the 60-day mark this week, a key milestone in the War Powers Act, which some Republicans have said could be a turning point in their in their support for ongoing operations in the Middle East.
The Senate is set to vote on another war powers resolution as soon as Wednesday, the latest in a string of such measures that Democrats have introduced in an attempt to restrict President Trump from taking further action against Iran without congressional approval. The resolutions have all failed in the face of widespread Republican opposition.
But some Republicans have signaled hesitancy about allowing Trump to continue unchecked as the 60th day of the war approaches Friday.
The War Powers Act permits the president to deploy U.S. forces for up to 60 days, if there is an “imminent threat” to the country, without Congress’s authorization, but requires approval past that point.
Operations can be extended by an additional 30 days if the president deems it necessary and informs Congress, but that is to ensure the safety of U.S. forces as a withdrawal occurs.
Many Democrats argue Iran never posed such a threat to America, maintaining Trump has been acting illegally from the start of the conflict.
There’s some debate over whether the ongoing ceasefire with Iran could pause the war powers clock, though tens of thousands of U.S. troops remain on a war footing in the region, costing U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars per day.
Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) has so far been the only Senate Republican to vote with Democrats on war powers votes. A few others have signaled they may soon join him.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is working on a resolution to authorize the use of military force against Iran and might try to bring it to the Senate floor for a vote, even though many of her GOP colleagues would prefer it to remain shelved, The Hill’s Alexander Bolton has reported.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) warned last week that he might vote for a war powers resolution to block Trump’s unilateral authority.
“At the 60-day mark, we need to know, ‘Are we in it for a longer term so you’re seeking an extension or do you have a strategy for exit?’” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has said she won’t support authorizing the war beyond two months. And Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) said he’s speaking with his Republican colleagues about bringing a measure to the floor to authorize military force, as keeping with “the letter and the intent” of the War Powers Act is important to him.
Still, any resolution restricting Trump’s power has slim odds of going into effect, even if it passed the Senate. The resolution would still need to pass the Republican-controlled House, and the president would have the power to veto any resolution reaching his desk.
Although the War Powers Act has been in effect for more than 50 years, it hasn’t ever been invoked to limit a president’s war-making power. Courts have also been hesitant to step in to require presidents to stick to the 60-day limit, likely leaving the decision in the political arena.
Still, Trump’s challenges are only growing as the war has dragged on.
The president’s approval rating has near the lowest marks of his second term in recent weeks, a trend that has accompanied the spike in gas prices amid Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the global energy crisis that it’s set off.
The economic front of the war is reaching a crisis point for both sides, and how long they can manage the economic impacts will be a key factor in what any eventual peace deal looks like, The Hill’s Laura Kelly and Rachel Frazin report.
After surging past $4 per gallon, the national average cost of regular gas started to tick down for several days amid the ceasefire with Iran and optimism about reaching a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But with a second round of negotiations canceled for now, the price has started rising again, reaching the highest price in four years Tuesday.
That’s significant pressure on Trump to look for a way to end the war in itself, even if Congress doesn’t force his hand.
▪ The Hill: Trump slams German chancellor for saying U.S. has been ‘humiliated.’
▪ Reuters: Trump approval sinks to new low amid war.
The House will attempt to advance three major pieces of legislation today — reauthorizing the nation’s spy powers, the Farm Bill........