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What Will Congress Do in Response to Operation Epic Fury?

Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., left, and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., conduct a news conference. (Tom Williams/Getty Images)

Virginia Grace McKinnon / @virginiagmck

Virginia Grace McKinnon is a journalism fellow at The Daily Signal. Send an email to Virginia Grace.

Both the House and Senate have lined up votes on war powers resolutions in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

Each chamber has their own resolutions. Prior to Trump’s decision to strike Iran, the previously-introduced resolutions were heading towards a vote. But the ongoing operation against Iran has added new urgency for Congress.

While some Republicans, such as Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., are joining Democrats in opposition to the campaign against Iran, which has already caused the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, some Democrats, such as Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., have signaled their support.

Kaine Looks to ‘Block’ Further Iran Action

The Senate will vote on the war powers joint resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., as early as Tuesday.

“The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran,” Kaine said in a weekend press release. “Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action.”

Kaine’s resolution, titled “A Joint Resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress,” would need 51 votes to pass the Senate and move to the House. The joint resolution has 13 co-sponsors including Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. 

While Paul may defect from Republican ranks, Fetterman will likely side with Republicans.

The Pennsylvania senator has expressed strong support for the administration’s offensive actions against Iran. He took to social media saying, “I’m a hard no,” on the War Powers resolution. “My vote is Operation Epic Fury,” said Fetterman.  

Kaine’s bill does not prohibit intelligence sharing or partnership with Israel. Nor does it prevent America’s Armed Forces from defensive measures against “Iran or its proxies.”

The Senate resolution stands little chance of passing, given several Republicans would have to join Paul in siding with Democrats.

The president would likely veto the legislation, and the Senate would then need two-thirds to vote in favor of overriding Trump’s veto.

Nevertheless, the vote serves as a barometer for Congress’ appetite for asserting its power in the foreign policy space where Trump has been particularly aggressive.

What Will the House Do?

The House is likely to vote on a separate bipartisan war powers resolution on Thursday.

The House resolution, introduced by Massie and pushed by other members such as Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is a concurrent resolution.

This legislative action is much more symbolic than the Senate’s version because a concurrent resolution does not need to be signed by the President.

The resolution, titled “Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” would need a simple majority to pass 217 votes in the House and then 51 votes in the Senate. 

Section 5(c) of the The War Powers Act of 1973 referenced in the resolution’s title, states “at any time that United States Armed Forces are engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the United States, its possessions and territories without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization, such forces shall be removed by the President if Congress so directs.” 

The concurrent resolution’s co-sponsors include 84 House Democrats, though to pass it would need full Democrat support and a handful of Republicans to vote in favor, too.

Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, has been vocal he supports a vote on a War Powers Resolution , maiking him one of the Republicans to watch leading up to the vote.

Republican leaders in the House, however, have expressed their support for Operation Epic Fury. Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., called the operation a “bold, decisive act of strength by President Trump.”

Massie has been vocal on social media since the operation began on Saturday that he supports America First, not including Israel.

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