Thread by @BBuchman_CNS

Debate unfolding on the House floor now re: resolution to limit Trump's war powers w/Iran.
Res sponsor Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who served 3 tours in Iraq: "If our loved ones are going to be sent to fight in any protracted war, the president owes the American public a conversation."

The framers of our Constitution believed the power to declare war belonged to Congress because this ensured that the American people weighed in on the most significant decision a government can make, Rep. Slotkin adds.

Slotkin emphasizes the explicit text of res: its passage should not be construed as a means to prevent Trump from using force against terrorist networks like ISIS, Al Qaeda or related entities if nec.
But Congress must be the one to check war powers of the Exec Branch, she said.

My colleague @JackRodgersCNS and I are covering today's vote. Story to come for @CourthouseNews.

@JackRodgersCNS @CourthouseNews Republican Rep. Thomas Massie urging YES on Slotkin res: "We need to debate our involvement in Afghanistan... in Iraq & then we need to bring our troops home. We certainly don't need another war and if we do go to war, it needs to be w/the blessing of the people."
@CourthouseNews

@JackRodgersCNS @CourthouseNews Massie says he will vote yes on Slotkin resolution to limit Trump's war powers w/Iran because it is within "the vision of our founders."

@JackRodgersCNS @CourthouseNews .@SpeakerPelosi says this is a concurrent resolution and not a joint resolution because under the War Powers Act, that is one of the options provided. "The value and beauty and exquisite nature of a concurrent resolution is that it does not have to be signed by POTUS."

"The congress, in its full power and voice, can speak in a united way about what the War Powers Act should look like. And that should count for something to our colleagues who serve in the Congress of the United States," Speaker Pelosi says during floor debates on Slotkin res.

You can read the resolution (H Con Res 83) in full here:
documentcloud.org/documents/6609…
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews Rep Eliot Engel to Republicans who have called Dems unpatriotic all day today when they advocate for passage of Slotkin res: "Please don't question our patriotism and we won't question yours."

@CourthouseNews Rep Matt Gaetz, R-FL. says he "takes a backseat to no one when it comes to defending the president" but that it is "ludicrous" for members to vote against Slotkin's resolution. He supports killing of Soleimani, supports Trump, but does not support "forever wars."
@CourthouseNews

@CourthouseNews Lawmakers now have 15 minutes +/- to vote on the resolution which is expected to pass.

@CourthouseNews BREAKING: The House has passed the resolution to limit Trump's military action against Iran, 224-194.
@CourthouseNews
Story to come via myself and @JackRodgersCNS

@CourthouseNews @JackRodgersCNS Democrats who voted against the resolution to limit Trump's war powers w/Iran:
Rep Max Rose, D-NY
Rep Ben McAdams, D-UT
Rep Anthony Brindisi, D-NY
Rep Joe Cunningham, D-SC
Rep Stephanie Murphy, D-FL
Rep Greg Murphy, D-NC
Rep Kendra Horn, D-OK
Rep Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ

Republicans who voted for the resolution to limit Trump's military action against Iran:
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-FL
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY
Rep. Francis Rooney, R-FL

STORY: “The War Powers Resolution requires the President to consult with Congress in every possible instance before introducing U.S. armed forces into hostilities."
(via myself and @JackRodgersCNS)
courthousenews.com/house-votes-to…
@CourthouseNews

@JackRodgersCNS @CourthouseNews “His actions made America less safe,” Rep. Mark Takano said of President Trump on Thursday. “We must not yield to the voices who say war is the only answer.”
courthousenews.com/house-votes-to…

@JackRodgersCNS @CourthouseNews A bit of historical context on the War Powers Act:
When the War Powers Act was finally passed in 1973, it only came after 3 yrs of bitter infighting in Congress spurred by Nixon's secret bombing of Cambodia (Operation Menu). Nixon bristled at its passage and vetoed it.

Nixon said the resolution was a violation of executive powers that existed in the U.S. for almost 200 years.

But Congress ultimately overrode Nixon's veto.

The NYT dubbed the override one of great significance & said it was a reflection of Nixon’s “low political estate,” but it indicated too that lawmakers were exasperated with Nixon’s borderline tyrannical interpretation of his own constitutional authority.
timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1…