The U.S. House of Representatives passed a war powers resolution last week that limits President Donald Trump’s authority to order military action against Iran. The vote passed almost along party lines, including within Arizona’s congressional delegation.
Tucson Democrat Raul Grijalva says he wanted to emphasize Congress’s role as the main body approving military action.
“We’ve gotten to the point that there has to be a check and balance, and the war powers act means that Congress does its constitutional duty and doesn’t abdicate it, and doesn’t hide behind an action of a president because it doesn't want to take a vote,” he said. “The principal role in declaring war has to be the Congress. That’s what the Constitution says.”
Prescott Republican Paul Gosar voted against the resolution, saying it’s just political posturing.
“What you’re basically doing is sticking it in the president’s face,” Gosar said. “It once again shows that Democrats hate this president more than they love this country.”
Gosar criticized the Democrat-led process behind the resolution.
“[It’s] bad process, bad policy, bad politics,” he said. “This is so important, we need to have a discussion about this. I’ve been very firm about this.”
The House resolution is non-binding, but the Senate could consider a similar measure with the force of law as early as next week.
