GOP Sen. John Thune calls Iran war powers resolution premature; Dem senator plans to force vote

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that Congress does not yet need to weigh in on potential U.S. intervention in the Israel–Iran war, dismissing a Senate Democrat’s plan to force a vote on a war powers resolution as “getting the cart ahead of the horse.”

Sen. Tim Kaine, Virginia Democrat, introduced the war powers resolution and plans to force a vote on it as soon as next Wednesday.

The measure directs the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces for “hostilities” against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. It includes a caveat allowing the U.S. to defend itself from “imminent attack.”

Mr. Thune, South Dakota Republican, said it is too early in the days-old conflict for Congress to weigh in with a war powers resolution that could restrict the Trump administration as it tries to negotiate a peaceful resolution that involves Iran giving up its nuclear enrichment capabilities.

“I think the president is perfectly within his authority in the steps that he has taken,” he said. “Clearly if this thing were to extend for some period of time, there could be a more fulsome discussion about what the role of Congress should be and whether or not we need to take action.”

Mr. Thune said he is hoping for a “peaceful outcome” in which Iran comes to the negotiating table and agrees to end its nuclear program. Mr. Trump is committed to ensuring that happens “one way or the other.”

The other way, a direct U.S. military offensive, is what lawmakers who want to pass the war powers resolution are concerned about.

In particular, there’s the question as to whether Mr. Trump will adhere to Israel’s request for the U.S. to use its “bunker buster” bombs to destroy Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment facility at Fordo.

The 30,000-pound precision-guided bombs can only be carried by U.S. B-2 bombers, meaning such an attack would not only involve U.S. weapons but military pilots to conduct the operation.

“Certainly, if we are assisting [Israel] in bombing runs into Iran, which the prime minister is asking, that’s offense,” Mr. Kaine said. “That would be offensive action. That would be a war that could not be started without Congress.”

Mr. Kaine said the only way for Mr. Thune to stop his war powers resolution from being privileged under the War Powers Act — the law that allows him to force a floor vote — would be to prove that U.S. hostilities with Iran are not imminent.

“If they can prove they’re not imminent, I’m going to be very happy,” he said. “But the Act clearly was drafted so a member of Congress could stop a war before it starts, rather than have to wait and try to stop a war once it started.”

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, offered qualified support for Mr. Kaine’s resolution.

“I believe Congress and the Senate, Senate Democrats — if necessary — will not hesitate to exercise our authority,” he said.

Mr. Thune did not rule out future congressional intervention but said Mr. Trump has yet to overstep his authorities in regards to Iran.

“He obviously has a lot of authority as commander in chief to respond to incidents that happen around the world,” he said. “Obviously, we have a lot of military installations, bases, military personnel in the region right now. And so I think he’s perfectly within his right to do what he’s done so far.”

Vice President J.D. Vance attended Senate Republicans’ weekly lunch on Tuesday and provided a brief update on Iran, largely reiterating what he’s said publicly, senators said.

“Anybody that thinks they know what Donald Trump’s going to do is speculating,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota Republican, said of Mr. Vance’s message. “He’s leaving all of his options open, but remains committed to Iran not having a nuclear capability and would rather negotiate than drop bombs.”

While Republicans are mostly deferring to Mr. Trump on what level of U.S. intervention he believes is best, several are openly rooting for him to help Israel destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

“If we don’t take out their nuclear program now, we’ll all regret it,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said on Fox News. “We’re very close. Be all in, Mr. President, in helping Israel finish the job.”

Mr. Cramer said he would “hate to see Israel do this huge favor for the free world” and to only eliminate 90% of Iran’s nuclear capabilities rather than “completely annihilate” them.