U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, cautioned President Donald Trump from plunging the United States into yet another endless war in the Middle East following Iran’s ballistic missile attack at two military bases in Iraq where American troops are based.
In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin also urged his colleagues to support a war powers resolution, introduced by Durbin and Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) last week, to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran without congressional approval.
“Our first order of business must be the safety of our military and civilian personnel in Iraq and the region, and I call on the Trump Administration to make that the highest priority,” Durbin said. “Another immediate requirement is that the Congress step up and play one of the most important and long neglected constitutional roles that we can envision. Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution is clear in stating that the power to declare war is an explicit authority and power of Congress, as it should be.”
Durbin continued, “This Congress should not be a rubber stamp for President Trump’s worst instincts. It’s time for this body to show some courage and do their constitutional jobs. If you want a war with Iran, step up and face your constituents and record your vote accordingly… Ultimately, this President cannot start a war with Iran without the approval, under the Constitution, of Congress, and the Republican leadership should not roll over and play the role of lap dog when it comes to such a serious life-and-death matter.”
By JOHN BRESNAHAN
Updated
Top Senate Democrats came to President Barack Obama’s defense on the Libya bombing campaign Wednesday, insisting that the U.S. participation in the operation was limited and would soon end.
In a conference call designed to address growing criticism from all corners of Congress, Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chairman and a top member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) all offered strong support to Obama’s decision to have U.S. forces attack units loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi as part of an international coalition led by NATO allies Britain and France.
https://www.politico.com/story/2011/03/senate-dems-defend-obama-on-libya-051831
The House passed a non-binding War Powers resolution on Thursday to rebuke the president for his decision to take out Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
"We deserve the respect from the administration and that Congress deserves under the Constitution,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said from the House floor. “The Constitution of the United States calls that there be cooperation when initiating hostilities."
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bronsonstocking/2020/01/09/flashback-pelosi-said-obama-did-not-need-authorization-to-attack-libya-n2559285
Judging by the thumbs down here, apparently there is one person here that is in favor of war with Iran
With that, if there are bombs to be fallen, let it their house be the first to be on the receiving end of those bombs.
When it comes to gun violence, don’t pray vote instead
The impeached tRump is helping to make Russia great again
BDS to deprive the oppressive occupied miltary of its bullets and bombs
Buy American, say NO to Chinese made impeached tRump
“The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King
Geee Bavafa
Can you get any more harsh and mean and Bigioted than that?
So is that how you extend your love for iranians in iran? If they are with you or are for war for Their own reasons they should be the victims and be bombed outta existence?
Thank you for proving your Hypocricy.
@AmericaRules
Hypocrisy, Bigoted ?!?!?! Do you even know what these words mean?
Hypocrisy is to have a war where countless families could get blown out of these world but would not want your family to be part of that.
If I ever cheer for war on Iran, I expect my family to be part or first in line of the effected people.
When it comes to gun violence, don’t pray vote instead
The impeached tRump is helping to make Russia great again
BDS to deprive the oppressive occupied miltary of its bullets and bombs
Buy American, say NO to Chinese made impeached tRump
“The time is always right to do what is right” – Martin Luther King
Bavafa1
Now you are changing your words. Fine. I expect that from people like you.
Mouthing off and when get caught , ohhhhhhhhhh did i say that??? what i meant was something totally different. So maybe it just came out wrong i guess, right?
To wish destruction and annhilation on people regardless of what and who they are to you, because that is just their belief that war maybe a good way outta this mess, and just does not happen to sit well with you, while you are here day in and day out supporting peace and denouncing violence against palestinians makes you a giant hypocrite.
But guess what, whether you or anyone likes it or not and ragardless of what happened with the voting in the Senate, things are lining up for some major confrontation. So take it easy.