Russian airstrikes in the western countryside of Idlib province (Syria) on Sept. 20, 2020.
Last week, President Joe Biden ordered military airstrikes on Syria, but members of Congress were disappointed that Biden did not seek congressional approval beforehand. On Wednesday (3), senators from both parties introduced legislation to rein in Biden’s war powers by partially repealing the decades-old authorization given to the U.S. president to conduct military operations in the Middle East.
The bill was introduced by Senators Todd Young, an Indiana Republican, and Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, according to Politico 3.
The new bill would repeal two authorization resolutions passed in 1991 and 2002, clearing the way for an end to the prolonged military conflict facing U.S. forces in Iraq. Democrats and Republicans alike have called for an end to the “perpetual war” in Iraq.
Just hours before the bill was introduced, the Defense Department confirmed that nearly a dozen rockets had struck an Iraqi base where U.S. troops were stationed.
Kaine and Young have made similar efforts before, but Biden’s airstrikes in Syria have given new impetus to their actions. The lawmakers were offended that the White House did not consult with Congress in advance and did not give them proper notice.
Kaine emphasized Congress’ responsibility with regard to the war. “Last week’s airstrikes in Syria show that the executive branch – regardless of party affiliation – will continue to expand its war powers.” The Democratic congressman and 2016 vice presidential candidate said it is “incumbent upon Congress not only to vote to authorize new military actions, but to repeal old authorizations that are no longer needed.”
Young said, “The fact that the authorizations for both wars are still in compliance with the law today demonstrates the bipartisan failure of Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty of oversight.”
The White House has said Biden ordered the attack on Syria in retaliation for Iranian-backed militias, and this week, senior Biden Administration officials have begun briefing Congress on the strikes on Syria, but they have not yet briefed lawmakers directly.
Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, told Politico on Tuesday that he had to attend a staff-level briefing because the Biden administration had not yet scheduled one for senators.
Murphy said he was not satisfied with the reason the White House gave for attacking Syria, adding, “I still need to be convinced that any president has the authority needed to take retaliatory strikes, especially outside of Iraq.”
Senators Tammy Duckworth, Democrat of Illinois; Mike Lee, Republican of Utah; Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware; and Chuck Grassley, Republican of Iowa have also signed on to the bill.
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