Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, says he has received support from some Senate Republicans for his War Powers Resolution following President Donald Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities this past weekend.
Why It Matters
On Saturday night, Trump announced what he called a “very successful” military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The strike came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran that began on June 13. Israel reportedly pushed the U.S. to take action, warning that Iran was nearing the development of a nuclear weapon—an accusation Iran denies, maintaining its program is strictly civilian.
The U.S. strikes have raised bipartisan concern in Washington about the risk of a broader Middle East conflict and whether the president exceeded his constitutional authority by launching attacks without congressional approval.
What You Should Know
Senator Kaine’s resolution seeks to reassert Congress’ role in decisions about military engagement. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president is required to consult with Congress before committing U.S. forces to hostilities.
Speaking to Punchbowl News on Monday, Kaine said several Republican senators are open to supporting his resolution, although it’s unclear how many will ultimately vote for it. He expects a vote before the Senate’s July 4 recess.
“I know I will have Republican support. How much is unclear,” Kaine said. “This is a very evolving situation.”
Kaine has introduced similar resolutions in the past, including one after the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. That resolution passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress.
In the House, Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced a matching resolution last week.
What People Are Saying
Senator Tim Kaine:
“It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States. I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict.”
Representative Ro Khanna:
“Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority, but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution. Trump’s strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk. Americans want diplomacy, not more costly wars.”
Representative Thomas Massie:
“I introduced a War Powers Resolution on Tuesday, while Congress was on vacation. We would have had plenty of time to debate and vote on this.”
GOP strategist T.J. McCormack, speaking to Newsweek, took a different stance, calling any Republican support for the resolution a mistake:
“This was not a declaration of war, but an end to the threat of nuclear war from the Islamo-fascist Iranian regime. Any Republican who joins Democrats in handcuffing the president is sitting on the wrong side of history.”
What’s Next?
Other lawmakers are also working on related legislation. According to Punchbowl News, Democratic Representatives Gregory Meeks, Adam Smith, and Jim Himes—the ranking members of the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence Committees—are drafting their own War Powers resolution.
Additionally, 12 House Democrats who are military veterans sent a letter to the White House on Monday, emphasizing that only Congress has the constitutional authority to authorize war.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister has declared that Iran reserves “all options to defend its sovereignty,” as U.S. forces prepare for possible retaliation.
