1 of 3 | Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., (L) and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., speak to reporters outside the Department of Justice offices in Washington, D.C., on February 9. Together, the two authored a war powers resolution. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
While congressional reaction to the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran overnight was largely split along party lines, Democratic and some Republican lawmakers expressed concern that President Donald Trump ordered the strikes without first seeking congressional approval.
Lawmakers — who had already been pushing to limit Trump’s ability to carry out lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean — said they would renew their efforts to pass a war powers resolution.
Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said he was “opposed to this war” in a post on X Saturday morning.
“When Congress reconvenes, I will work with [Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.] to force a congressional vote on war with Iran,” he wrote.
“The Constitution requires a vote, and your representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war.”
NBC News reported that Massie and Khanna together wrote a war powers resolution ahead of the Iran attack. Under Article 1 of the Constitution, Congress, not the executive branch, has the power to declare war on another country.
NPR reported that the White House notified the top eight leaders in Congress — known collectively as the Gang of Eight — shortly before the attack.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson showed his support for Trump’s actions to limit Iran’s nuclear program.
“Today, Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions,” Johnson said in a statement posted on X. “President Trump and the administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism and the murder of Americans — and even their own people.”
Johnson said the Gang of Eight received a briefing earlier in the week about the potential military action.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, meanwhile, called on the Trump administration to brief the Senate on the threat. He said he had asked Secretary of State Mark Rubio to be transparent with Congress and the American people about the objectives of the strikes and the subsequent steps.
“The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the treat,” he said on X.
“Confronting Iran’s malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination and strategic clarity.
“Unfortunately, President Trump’s fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy.”
