President Trump urged senators not to vote for a resolution that would make his ability to combat Iran more difficult.
The Senate is set to approve a resolution on Thursday that requires congressional approval “for hostilities” against the Iranian regime. It comes in the wake of an American drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Although the measure will likely not be enacted because of a veto, Trump said in a Wednesday tweet that its passage would be a show of weakness and would send “a very bad signal” to Iran.
“It is very important for our Country’s SECURITY that the United States Senate not vote for the Iran War Powers Resolution. We are doing very well with Iran and this is not the time to show weakness. Americans overwhelmingly support our attack on terrorist Soleimani,” Trump said.
“If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day,” he continued. “Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don’t let it happen!”
….If my hands were tied, Iran would have a field day. Sends a very bad signal. The Democrats are only doing this as an attempt to embarrass the Republican Party. Don’t let it happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 12, 2020
The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, and “directs the president to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.”
Although Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has urged other Republicans to reject the measure, GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Todd Young of Indiana, and Mike Lee of Utah have said they will support it. The resolution only needs a simple majority to pass.
Soleimani, 62, was killed last month when a U.S. drone struck the vehicle he was in outside Baghdad’s airport. Soleimani led the Quds Force, an elite special operations unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, and he was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops during the Iraq War.
In retaliation for the killing, Iran launched missiles at Iraqi bases housing American troops last month.
