With the April 29 expiration of the allowance of the War Powers Act (WPA) of 60-days of warfare before coming to Congress, some Democrats members have made plans to step up the pace of WPA resolutions. So far, two isolated resolutions have gone down to close defeats, with only two Republicans—Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Oh.)—crossing the aisle to vote with the Democrats. However, it is reported that other Republicans have been willing to hold back during the 60-day period. Some Democrats, centered around the Progressive Caucus, plan a series of WPA resolutions, closely packed together, can focus the Congress and the country on action to stop the war of choice.
The Hill reports that Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) “is weighing plans to force a vote on his war powers resolution as soon as next week. Short of passage, the Democrats’ aim is to force a series of lengthy floor debates on the Iran conflict, which is unpopular with voters nationally, and to put Republican lawmakers on the record when it comes to asserting Congress’s authority to declare war.” “This is one of the few ways that we can force some debate and accountability.” In the previous three days, separate resolutions were introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). Khanna said: “We want a number of these, with the Progressive Caucus, so that we can call for a vote over and over.”
Huffman said: “This is one of the few ways that we can force some debate and accountability... This should not be a one and done. The war is ongoing. Trump has no way out. He’s humiliating us on a daily basis on the world stage, putting us at great risk, so we’ve got to keep this going. That’s why we have to keep putting them in the queue, so that they ripen periodically.”
House Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) explained: “We’ve heard a lot of talk from Republicans that they’ll give this President 60 days. And this is a failed effort. And it’s long past time that he come to Congress and explain what the strategy is and what the exit is. Republicans have been saying that is a crucial timeline for them. So put your vote up on the board.”
