[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1003-S1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                         War Powers Resolution

  Madam President, now, on war powers, later today, the Senate will 
begin debate on Senator Kaine's War Powers Resolution, preventing 
President Trump from unilaterally escalating military action against 
Iran.
  The Constitution is clear, Congress alone has the power to declare 
wars. The President has no authority to enter the United States into 
another endless conflict in the Middle East, but I fear that the strike 
against Iranian Major General Soleimani last month may bumble us into 
one.
  With this bipartisan resolution, the Senate can assert its 
constitutional authority and send a clear bipartisan message to the 
President that he cannot sidestep Congress when it comes to matters of 
war and peace. It was immediately clear that the strike against General 
Soleimani was carried out with insufficient transparency, without 
proper notification of Congress, and without a clear plan for what 
comes next.

[[Page S1004]]

  Last month has only magnified these problems. President Trump 
initially claimed that no one was hurt after Iran retaliated against 
forces on January 8. Now the Pentagon says over 100 military personnel 
suffered a traumatic brain injury. Why has it taken so long for us to 
learn that American troops were hurt in the attack? Who ordered the 
withholding of that information? Was it President Trump? It sure 
wouldn't be surprising. And who in the military--the military, which is 
a bulwark, one of the few, particularly when General Mattis was the 
Secretary--who in the military let that happen? Just as importantly, 
what is the President's strategy for keeping our troops safe in the 
coming weeks?
  The administration has deliberately refused to be transparent with 
Congress about the aftermath of the Iranian strike. I fear that by 
keeping Congress in the dark, President Trump is, once again, hoping to 
short-circuit our checks and balances and escape scrutiny. That is why 
Senator Kaine's War Powers Resolution is a matter of urgent necessity. 
I commend Senator Kaine on the job he has done and urge my colleagues 
of both parties to vote in favor of this resolution.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska is recognized.
  Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
confirmation vote on the Kindred nomination begin following my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.