This is what our lovely governor of Virginia had to say 😠😠😠
Letterhead
July 7, 2025... View MoreThis is what our lovely governor of Virginia had to say 😠😠😠
Letterhead
July 7, 2025
Mrs. Jamie Hames
Dear Mrs. Hames:
Thank you for writing to me about the recent U.S. military strikes against Iran and broader questions concerning the U.S. Constitution’s allocation of war powers. I appreciate hearing from you.
On June 12, 2025, the Israeli government ordered a series of military strikes against Iranian targets, eliminating senior Iranian military commanders and top nuclear scientists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that these strikes “sent them back a very, very long time,” referring to Iran’s timeline for developing nuclear weapons. In the days that followed, Iran and Israel exchanged additional strikes, escalating into a cycle of retaliatory attacks. On June 21, the United States directly entered the conflict when President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, a mere 48 hours after issuing a two-week ultimatum for Iranian officials to return to the negotiating table.
President Trump made the decision to launch offensive operations without congressional authorization for the use of military force against Iran. As a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, I have advocated for Congress to fulfill its constitutional mandate to exert authority over issues of war, peace, and diplomacy. Article I of the Constitution entrusts Congress, not the President, with the power to declare war. The Framers of our Constitution deliberately gave Congress this power because they believed that the decision to enter a military conflict was too big for any one person. They vested this responsibility specifically in the legislative branch – the branch most directly elected by the people – so that decisions about war and peace would be subject to debate in public view. It is unthinkable to ask our servicemembers to make the ultimate sacrifice without a public debate to decide if war is in our country’s best interest.
On June 16, 2025 – before the U.S. struck Iranian targets and amid growing concerns that the U.S. would do so – I introduced a War Powers Resolution that would require explicit congressional authorization for any U.S. participation in offensive hostilities against Iran. War Powers Resolutions are privileged, meaning that the Senate is required to promptly consider and vote upon them. This resolution took on additional urgency following Trump’s unauthorized military actions against Iran. On June 27, 2025, I went to the Senate floor to force a vote on this resolution.
Unfortunately, though my legislation received bipartisan support, the Senate failed to advance this resolution. I am deeply disappointed that many of my colleagues were not willing to stand up and reassert Congress’ constitutional authority to decide whether America will send her sons and daughters into war.
As Governor of Virginia and later as a U.S. Senator, I visited U.S. troops overseas, attended deployment ceremonies and homecomings, and mourned with families at wakes and funerals for servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice. As the proud father of a U.S. Marine, this issue is especially personal to me. I ran for the Senate determined to do everything in my power to prevent unnecessary wars. A war with Iran – the third major U.S. war in the Middle East since 2001 – would be a catastrophic blunder.
I will continue to do all I can to keep presidents of any party from starting wars without robust public debate and authorization from Congress. For years, I’ve worked in a bipartisan manner to strengthen Congress’ role in authorizing military force. As far back as 2014, I introduced the War Powers Consultation Act with the late Senator John McCain to require the White House to consult with Congress before engaging in significant armed conflict. I have since challenged presidents of both parties on abuse of war powers authorities. My position is not that the U.S. should never use military force – but rather that any such decision should be debated and authorized by Congress. These efforts are grounded in a simple but vital principle: before we send our servicemembers into harm’s way, we owe them and their families an open, honest debate and a vote by their elected representatives. That is our duty to our troops and to the U.S. Constitution.
Thank you again for contacting me.
Sincerely,
Signature
Tim Kaine
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