Bernie Sanders leads Democratic effort in Congress to ward off war with Iran
Democratic US Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont introduced legislation on Monday to prevent the use of federal funds for any "illegal wars' in or against Iran without approval from Congress.
Sanders introduced the "No War Against Iran Act", which contains an exception for self-defence as enshrined in the War Powers Act and applicable US law.
The move follows Israel launching unprovoked air strikes and drone attacks on Iran on Friday, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes. There has been concern that President Donald Trump will enter the conflict in support of Israel.
Hundreds of Iranians have been killed in the Israeli attacks, with at least 24 people killed in retaliatory strikes in Israel.
Sanders is joined on this legislation by Democratic Senators Peter Welch; Elizabeth Warren; Jeff Merkley; Chris Van Hollen; Ed Markey; Tammy Baldwin; and Tina Smith.
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Sanders condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 'reckless and illegal attacks' on Iran and said they 'violate international law and risk igniting a regional war'.
'It is imperative that we make clear that the President has no authority to embark on another costly war without explicit authorization by Congress,' Sanders said in a statement on Monday.
'Another war in the Middle East could cost countless lives, waste trillions more dollars and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, and more displacement,' he added.
On Facebook, Sanders also accused Netanyahu of 'deliberately sabotaging' US-Iran nuclear talks.
Meanwhile, Senator Welch said that there had already been enough war in the Middle East.
'War has badly damaged this region. Millions of civilians face acute hunger and need lifesaving aid in Gaza right now. Netanyahu just upended US-led negotiations to limit Iran's nuclear program in favor of recklessly escalating tensions.'
Warren, Merkley, Van Hollen, and Markey also reiterated the need for Congress, rather than Trump, to decide whether or not to go to war.
Congress decides
Earlier on Monday, Senator Tim Kaine, also a Democrat, introduced a war powers resolution that would prohibit US armed forces from taking direct action against Iran without explicit authorisation from Congress or a declaration of war.
Kaine said he was 'deeply concerned' that hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another 'forever war'.
'It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the US,' Kaine said in a statement.
'The American people have no interest in sending service members to fight another forever war in the Middle East. I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the US into another endless conflict,' said Kaine.
Netanyahu wants regime change in Iran. Is Trump on board? Read More »
However, both measures face an uphill battle in Congress, which is under Republican control. Despite some "Make America Great Again" or "America First" Republicans who oppose the US getting involved in wars abroad, they have been mostly unwilling or unable to challenge Donald Trump's authority.
While Sanders has previously forced votes on resolutions to block arms sales to Israel, he has faced criticism for not being critical of Israel's war on Gaza early enough.
More recently, the Democrats faced criticism in April after a "Free Palestine" flag unfurled by pro-Palestine activists at a rally in the state of Idaho was taken down, and the protesters were ejected from the venue.
More than 12,500 people turned out at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho, to hear Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speak. They both urged attendees to rise above political divisions and resist what they called the increasing influence of billionaires over American politics.
Dubbed as "The Fighting Oligarchy Tour" on Sanders' website, the two politicians said they aim to "have real discussions across America on how we move forward to take on the Oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country".
But at the Idaho leg of the tour, Sanders faced backlash for not reacting to the police treatment of the protesters during or after the rally.
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