Leftist Vote To Stop President Trump Fails

The attempt to remove President Donald Trump’s war powers failed in the Senate as Republican Senators – and Democrat Sen. John Fetterman (PA) – voted down Sen. Tim Kaine’s (VA) resolution 53–47 to restrict Trump’s military actions against Iran.

As reported by Fox News:

Senate Republicans closed ranks Wednesday, handing President Donald Trump a win on his use of force in Iran, despite lingering questions about America’s involvement in the Middle East.

The Senate shot down a resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., aimed at limiting Trump’s military actions in Iran on Wednesday, following days of speculation about whether Republicans would cross the aisle — as they have done before — to reprimand the president.

The administration pushed hard to lobby support for Operation Epic Fury, holding several briefings with Congress to make its case. It appeared to work, at least for now, convincing some Republicans on the fence to back continued military action in Iran.

Only Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted in favor of the resolution, while Sen. Jon Fetterman, D-Pa., was the lone Democrat to cross the aisle in support.

Basically, the Left proposed a resolution that would have effectively halted further military action against Iran without the expressed approval of Congress first. Had it passed, it would have essentially tied the President’s hands with red tape to keep him from directing any further military action in Iran unless Congress formally authorized the mission. That didn’t happen.

A similar measure is now expected to come up in the House of Representatives, co-sponsored by Reps. Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Thomas Massie (KY-4).

For decades, any time the United States has entered a military conflict, there have been disagreements and lawmakers who dissented. Members of Congress historically have argued over strategy, over legality, over whether the mission was wise or necessary. And that’s fine. It’s even healthy. You’re allowed to disagree with a President’s decision to use military force. That’s part of the democratic process.

But attacking not only the President, but by extension the military leadership carrying out these operations is a different kind of criticism altogether.

Especially leaders like Sen. Mark Kelly (AZ), who appeared on MS NOW with former Biden spin doctor Jen Psaki and hurled criticisms at the Trump Administration, stating:

I watch this group of people who are supposed to be leading our country — not just the president, Secretary of Defense and others — you know, five people that were on the background on the slide here, and I’m thinking, you could pick a random group of people off the street tonight here in Washington, D.C. — just a random group — and they could probably do a better job than our government is doing right now with this.

Sen. Kelly and other far-Left Members of Congress should know fully well the extent of the President’s Executive powers regarding war. Under the existing legal framework of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the President is allowed to conduct limited military action without prior approval from Congress.

In practice, modern conflicts rarely involve formal declarations anymore. A President has 48 hours to notify of authorizing military action – not war – and that action is limited to days. Essentially, President Trump has 60 days before he would need to go to Congress for any approval on additional action or escalation.

Which is why it’s important for everyone to keep in mind that this conflict is still only a few days old. And that’s at least partly why some observers, including Sen. Fetterman, have urged caution before drawing sweeping conclusions about where things will go. President Trump has the better part of two months before he needs congressional approval for any further military action.

And every U.S. President since Nixon has benefited from this framework, including President Bill Clinton in Kosovo and President Barack Obama in Libya. So, while critics are calling this conflict illegal, the legal structure guiding these decisions isn’t new. They just don’t like the guy using it this time.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast featured further discussion of President Trump’s victory in the Senate and analysis of what lies ahead as the measure moves to the House. We were also joined by ACLJ Associate Counsel Liam Harrell, who shared about a recent ACLJ victory in defending a preacher who was cited for sharing the Gospel outside an abortion clinic – despite having a permit to do so.

Watch the full broadcast below: