US and UK Strikes Against Houthis in Yemen Spark Reaction from Republicans and Democrats
Missile strikes are a response to a series of drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea
U.S. and UK military forces conducted strikes on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on Jan. 11, in response to a series of attacks. Some lawmakers responded by calling the strikes “unconstitutional.” President Joe Biden ordered the Thursday strikes following a series of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis targeting U.S. and international commercial ships in the international waters of the southern Red Sea. According to the White House, more than 50 nations have been affected by 27 attacks on international commercial shipping.
President Biden stated that the successful strikes on Yemen were conducted with support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain. They were against “a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways,” according to a statement released by the White House. He also stated that he will “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”
Republicans and Democrats had mixed responses to the strikes, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) claiming they violated the U.S. Constitution.
However, an ‘added context’ box under Ms. Tlaib’s post claims that her statement is incorrect. It states: “While only Congress may formally declare war, under 50 US §1543, the President is authorized to initiate limited military action without prior Congressional approval, provided a report is delivered to Congress within 48 hours of commencing the action.”
‘Retaliatory, Offensive Strike’
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) posted similar views to Ms. Tlaib’s online.
“Section 2C of the War Powers Act is clear: POTUS may only introduce the U.S. into hostilities after Congressional authorization or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack,” he continued. “Reporting is not a substitute. This is a retaliatory, offensive strike.”
An “added context” box also appears under Mr. Khanna’s post stating that the President may initiate limited military action without first gaining approval from Congress, so long as he reports to Congress within 48 hours.
Other Democrats, including Rep. Val Hoyle, (D-Ore.) followed suit in issuing similar remarks while Rep. Barbara Lee, (D-Calif.) and Rep. Mark Pocan, (D-Wisc.) called for a “ceasefire.”
Republican lawmakers were quick to respond too, with Sen. Mike Lee of Utah stating on social media that he agrees with Rep. Khana.
‘Only Congress Has the power to declare war’
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from West Virginia also agreed with the Democratic lawmaker, stating that “Only Congress has the power to declare war.”
“The military strikes taken tonight by the Administration in conjunction with coalition partners is an overdue response to Iranian-backed proxies that have targeted U.S. military personnel, bases, and ships more than 120 times since October, resulting in a gravely injured service member,” she said.
The lawmaker stressed the U.S. is not seeking an escalation of violence in the region but must “deter attacks on our troops, and the freedom of navigation that is essential for global trade must be restored.”
Rep. Seth Moulton, (D-Mass.) backed the strikes, saying they were “necessary, responsive, and proportionate,” and “not escalatory.”
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