Senators Paul and Merkley urge Trump Administration to clarify reasoning behind Houthi airstrikes
The senators argued that the Trump administration should consult with Congress before involving U.S. forces in foreign conflicts.
Following over two weeks of U.S. strikes in Yemen, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have urged the Trump administration to clarify its decision-making and present a clear strategy for the ongoing military campaign.
Since March 15, U.S. forces have been targeting weapons sites, command centers, and leaders of the Houthi rebel movement, which the Trump administration recently categorized as a foreign terrorist organization.
These latest military operations mark a resurgence of a campaign initiated by President Joe Biden over a year ago in response to Houthi attacks on Israel and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Houthis have linked their missile and drone attacks to developments in the Israeli military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
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Prior to Biden’s strikes in Yemen, the U.S. government had supported a Saudi-led coalition in a prolonged campaign to defeat the Houthis and restore authority to the U.N.-recognized Yemeni government, as noted by the bipartisan senators.
Merkley and Paul highlighted that instead of deterring the Houthis, U.S. and Saudi-led military operations have bolstered the Houthis’ recruitment efforts over time.
The senators referenced the correlation between the Houthis’ reduction in Red Sea shipping harassment and prolonged cease-fires in the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Citing the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Merkley and Paul argued that presidents must consult Congress before initiating U.S. military hostilities or scenarios where hostilities are probable.
Furthermore, they emphasized that Congress, per the Constitution, holds the authority to declare war, a step not taken for the current military operations in Yemen.
Merkley and Paul requested a briefing from the Trump administration by April 11 to justify the decision-making behind the recent U.S. strikes in Yemen and explain how these strikes will alter Houthi behavior.
They inquired whether the administration plans to seek congressional authorization for an ongoing military campaign against the Houthis.
Merkley and Paul questioned whether the administration would seek congressional approval before launching military operations against Iran.
During an April 1 briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the notion that recent strikes have emboldened the Houthis.
She asserted that the strikes in Yemen have been successful in targeting both the Houthis and Iran, weakening the latter, and eliminating Houthi leaders.
When asked about future consultations with Congress, Leavitt stated, “I would have to ask our team here at the White House, but the president is well within his authority.”
Leavitt categorized the recent U.S. operations against the Houthis as defensive.
