-1772701390978.webp)
United States President Donald Trump has again drawn international attention following recent military actions in the Middle East. Earlier this year, in January, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured during a US military operation in Caracas. Escalating military strikes in Iran have intensified tensions in the region, widening scope of the conflict.
Democratic senators have condemned the attack on Iran and accused Trump of unnecessarily dragging the United States into the conflict. The conflict doesn't seem to end soon, as several countries in the Middle East have now been indirectly involved. While the US and Israel maintain to continue their military aggression, Iran has vowed to retaliate and avenge the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This raises a question of whether Trump can be stopped? Is there any measure that can hold back the US President?
Amid these questions, US lawmakers are going to debate the president’s military action in Iran this weekend. According to reports, some of the senators may try using the "War Powers Resolution", also known as the War Powers Act, to stop further action or escalation. This is because Washington has reportedly been dealt a blow. The US Consulate in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia had attacked, and six US service members were killed in Kuwait.
Recommended For You
ALSO READ: Gulf Will Never Be The Same: Has Israel-Iran War Changed The Region Forever? 3 Key Reasons
Amid the chaos, can the "War Powers Resolution" actually stop the bombing and hold back Trump? For this, let's understand what it is and when it is moved.
What is the War Powers Resolution?
The War Powers Resolution, also known as the War Powers Act, is a federal law established after the Vietnam War in 1973. The law limits the US president’s power when they decide to take military action in a foreign country. It intends to check the president's power to commit the country to an armed conflict without the consent of the US Congress.
The resolution states that the president can send the US Armed Forces into action abroad only by Congress's "statutory authorisation", or in case of "a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces".
It adds that forces must be withdrawn within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war. While the president is the commander in chief of the US armed forces, only Congress can officially declare war, under Article I, Section 8 of the US constitution.
Can it stop Trump's bombardment in Iran?
In the current scenario, it is unlikely that the War Powers Resolution will stop President Trump's military actions. The US Senate on March 4, defeated a resolution designed to limit his authority regarding the conflict in Iran. The Senate rejected the measure in a 47-53 vote. The Republicans have maintained a majority in supporting the president's Operation Epic Fury, which would have otherwise required Congressional approval.