Democratic Senator Tim Kaine denounced the Iran strikes in a statement Saturday as “dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic.”
“These strikes are a colossal mistake, and I pray they do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives,” Kaine said.
“The Senate should immediately return to session and vote on my War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran. Every single Senator needs to go on the record about this dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic action,” the senator added.
Following last month’s military operation in Venezuela, Kaine also tried to get the Senate to vote on a measure to limit the president’s war powers in that country.
Gang of Eight” congressional leaders were notified before the strikes
Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified at least some members of the “Gang of Eight” in advance of the strikes in Iran — but they were not given a full accounting of the legal justification.
Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe had delivered a classified briefing to the Gang of Eight congressional leaders earlier in the week, and some emerged saying the administration should make the case publicly for strikes.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner all received a heads up, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Earlier this week, members of the Gang of Eight – the top lawmakers from both parties who serve on congressional intelligence committees, as well as party leadership – asked that they be notified before any strikes.
