Array
Yesterday I wrote about an effort by Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, to pressure President Trump to seek authorization from congress before deciding on any strike against Iran. Rep. Massie’s effort was immediately joined by a group of Democrats including most of the Squad (AOC, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, Ilhan Omar and Greg Casar were all onboard). Since yesterday Rep. Delia Ramirez joined in as well.
Democrat and Republican, we should ALL be clear that the power to declare war DOES NOT belong in the hands of the President. Punto.
When unaccountable, extremist leaders seek to profit from endless wars and human suffering, we in Congress have the obligation to affirm the… https://t.co/PK0I25itbo— Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (@repdeliaramirez) June 17, 2025
And Rep. Pressley expressed support.
I continue to urge de-escalation and diplomacy. Stability of the region and civilian lives hang in the balance.https://t.co/sjUkbHGKsR— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) June 18, 2025
So for those keeping score, that’s the entire Squad as it currently exists that supports this effort. So perhaps it’s no surprise that today the NY Times editorial board published an editorial co-signing this argument.
A nuclear-armed Iran would make the world less safe. It would destabilize the already volatile Middle East. It could imperil Israel’s existence. It would encourage other nations to acquire their own nuclear weapons, with far-reaching geopolitical consequences.
Now, however, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has acted to destroy Iran’s capacity to build nuclear weapons without first shoring up allies’ support. The United States faces being dragged into another war in the Middle East, with American lives at stake. And while the world tries to figure out what President Trump will do in the coming days, that is the wrong question. If Mr. Trump wants the United States to join the Israeli war against Iran, the next step is as clear: Congress must first authorize the use of military force.
Our laws are explicit on this point.
