Several Democrats on Capitol Hill on Thursday rebuked President Biden for launching airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen without congressional approval, arguing the action was unconstitutional.
“The president should go to Congress before launching an attack on the Houthis in Yemen and getting us involved in another Middle East. [sic] conflict,” tweeted Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). “That is Article I of the Constitution. “I will defend him regardless of whether there is a Democrat or a Republican in the White House.”
“Section 2C of the War Powers Act is clear: The President can only introduce the United States into hostilities after authorization from Congress or in a national emergency when the United States is under imminent attack,” Khanna continued. “Reporting is not a substitute. “This is a retaliatory offensive attack.”
Echoing Khanna, Rep. Val Hoyle (D-Ore.) tweeted: “These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the exclusive authority to authorize military involvement in foreign conflicts. Every president must first go to Congress and request military authorization, regardless of party.”
British warplanes bomb targets in Yemen. MOD A plane takes off to join the US-led coalition to carry out airstrikes against military targets in Yemen, targeting the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea, January 12 2024. via REUTERS A Royal Air Force Typhoon takes off to join the US-led coalition to carry out airstrikes against military targets in Yemen on January 11, 2024. via REUTERS
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, called the U.S.-U.K.-led bombing campaign “an unacceptable violation of the Constitution.”
“Article 1 requires Congress to authorize military action,” he further explained.
A massive explosion in Hodeidah. SkyNews Missiles explode in Saada, Yemen, on January 11, 2024. CNN Fire is visible after an airstrike launched by the United States and Britain near Sanaa in Yemen on January 12, 2024. Xinhua/Shutterstock
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) expressed fear that Biden’s action in Yemen could put the United States at risk “of becoming entangled in another decades-long conflict without congressional authorization.
“The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen,” he urged.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a member of the “Squad” of far-left congressional lawmakers, called the airstrikes “illegal” and implored the 81-year-old president to “stop the bombing and do better.” .”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal was one of several congressional Democrats who were angered by Biden’s missile attacks on Thursday. REUTERS Biden was criticized for launching the attacks without congressional approval on Thursday. REUTERS
“People don’t want more of our taxpayers’ money going to endless wars and the murder of civilians,” he tweeted.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who previously accused Biden of supporting “genocide” against the Palestinians, also condemned the offensive in Yemen.
“The American people are tired of endless war,” he tweeted, calling the airstrikes unconstitutional.
Rep. Cori Bush called the airstrikes “illegal” and implored the 81-year-old president to “stop the bombing and do better.” Shutterstock The US and UK attacks were sparked by recent attacks by Houthi militants on transport ships in the Red Sea. YAHYA ARHAB/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The attacks on Yemen come after a series of drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis against transport ships in the Red Sea.
“The United States has a special historic obligation to help protect and defend these arteries of global trade,” a senior administration official told reporters Thursday.
“And this action is directly in line with that tradition. This is clearly reflected in both our national security strategy and national defense strategy. It is a key conviction of the president and it is a commitment that we are willing to maintain.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn