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The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday rejected a Democratic proposal to require congressional approval before the U.S. can take military action against Iran.
The panel voted 13-9 against a proposal blocking the administration from using funding to carry out a military strike in or against Iran without congressional signoff, according to Sen. Chris Murphy
Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyGraham's COVID-19 'breakthrough' case jolts Senate Democrats warn shrinking Biden's spending plan could backfire Democrats ramp up pressure for infrastructure deal amid time crunch MORE (D-Conn.), a member of the committee.
Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyGraham's COVID-19 'breakthrough' case jolts Senate Democrats warn shrinking Biden's spending plan could backfire Democrats ramp up pressure for infrastructure deal amid time crunch MORE (D-Conn.), a member of the committee. We lost 13-9. Every Republican except for @RandPaul opposed it. https://t.co/auz8pCRQkv
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 22, 2019
Murphy and Sen. Tom Udall
Tom UdallOvernight Defense: Milley reportedly warned Trump against Iran strikes | Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer killed in Afghanistan | 70 percent of active-duty military at least partially vaccinated Biden nominates former Sen. Tom Udall as New Zealand ambassador Senate Democrats befuddled by Joe Manchin MORE (D-N.M.) said earlier Wednesday that they were going to bring up their proposal for a vote in the committee as an amendment to a Syrian foreign policy bill.
Tom UdallOvernight Defense: Milley reportedly warned Trump against Iran strikes | Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer killed in Afghanistan | 70 percent of active-duty military at least partially vaccinated Biden nominates former Sen. Tom Udall as New Zealand ambassador Senate Democrats befuddled by Joe Manchin MORE (D-N.M.) said earlier Wednesday that they were going to bring up their proposal for a vote in the committee as an amendment to a Syrian foreign policy bill.ADVERTISEMENT
"Congress is a co-equal branch that has the sole authority to declare war – so we don’t have to sit around and watch this administration spiral us into another endless conflict in the Middle East," Udall said in a statement.
The push for a vote comes a day after top members of the administration, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoAt least 20 types of gifts missing from State Department's vault ,800 bottle of whiskey given to Pompeo by Japan is missing Noem to travel to South Carolina for early voting event MORE and acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan
Patrick Michael ShanahanSenators introducing bill to penalize Pentagon for failed audits Overnight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops' role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nominee Biden Pentagon pick could make up to .7M from leaving Raytheon MORE, briefed lawmakers on intelligence detailing recent actions by Iran, as President Trump
Donald TrumpAt least 20 types of gifts missing from State Department's vault 2 Seattle police officers who illegally trespassed Capitol on Jan. 6 fired House Democrats select Riggleman as Jan. 6 committee adviser MORE and Republicans have warned of a growing threat from Tehran.
Mike PompeoAt least 20 types of gifts missing from State Department's vault ,800 bottle of whiskey given to Pompeo by Japan is missing Noem to travel to South Carolina for early voting event MORE and acting Defense Secretary Patrick ShanahanPatrick Michael ShanahanSenators introducing bill to penalize Pentagon for failed audits Overnight Defense: National Guard boosts DC presence ahead of inauguration | Lawmakers demand probes into troops' role in Capitol riot | Financial disclosures released for Biden Pentagon nominee Biden Pentagon pick could make up to .7M from leaving Raytheon MORE, briefed lawmakers on intelligence detailing recent actions by Iran, as President TrumpDonald TrumpAt least 20 types of gifts missing from State Department's vault 2 Seattle police officers who illegally trespassed Capitol on Jan. 6 fired House Democrats select Riggleman as Jan. 6 committee adviser MORE and Republicans have warned of a growing threat from Tehran.Shanahan appeared to try to tamp down concerns about a the potential for a military conflict with Iran after the briefing.
"We have deterred attacks based on our reposturing of assets, deterred attacks against American forces," he told reporters. "Our biggest focus at this point is to prevent Iranian miscalculation. We do not want the situation to escalate. This is about deterrence, not about war."
