We’ve yet to hear a consistent and persuasive argument for the Trump administration’s decision to attack Iran, but supporters and opponents of this latest military action should agree that acts of war require Congress’ authorization. Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution expressly gives Congress the power “to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.” Presidents have routinely violated this provision, but there’s no time like the present to begin following the nation’s highest law.
So where have our representatives, who presumably should stand up for the constitutional powers vested in their institution, been on the matter? It’s a mixed bag — one that largely breaks down along partisan lines. Many Democrats have called for congressional approval, while most Republicans have supported the attacks. There are some exceptions, with two House Republicans — Warren Davidson of Ohio and the always principled Thomas Massie of Kentucky — at last supporting bringing such a measure to a floor vote, per news reports.
In California, Democrats have led criticisms of the war, although “they were careful to condemn the country’s regime reviled by many in the state’s large Iranian American diaspora,” as Politico reported. It noted that Bay Area U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, co-sponsored the war-powers legislation with Massie. After Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the president doesn’t need Congress’ approval, Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, responded: “There is a law. It’s called the frickin Constitution of the United States.” U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, called for a war-powers vote.
What about Republicans? Predictably, they’ve largely been cheerleading the president’s action. U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert of Corona posted this statement, per the Los Angeles Times: “President Trump’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury will protect America and our allies by eliminating the Iranian regime’s ability to wage terror and threaten its enemies.” Not to be outdone as she faces off against Calvert in November, Rep. Young Kim of Anaheim noted: “So grateful for our President’s decisive action & for our vibrant Iranian American community.”
The Times found at least five of the state’s eight GOP representatives (including Kevin Kiley of Rocklin, Darrell Issa of San Diego County and David Valadao of Hanford) supported the administration’s attacks on Iran.
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