U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today announced he will vote against moving forward on a politically charged version of Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-Va.) war powers resolution in order to continue working on revisions. Senator Young and Senator Kaine are working together to develop a revised war powers resolution, which removes political language and addresses the need for more Congressional oversight of military action.
Senator Young made the following statement:
“There is no question our nation is safer today with Soleimani dead and we are finally dealing with Iran from a position of strength.
“Make no mistake, Soleimani was a terrorist mastermind responsible for killing hundreds of Americans and thousands of Iraqis, Syrians, Yemenis and others. He provided support for the barbaric Assad regime in Syria, facilitating human rights atrocities and ethnic cleansing of thousands of Sunnis. He also provided critical support for terror groups across the world including Hezbollah, the Taliban, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Former Secretary Mattis said, ‘Everywhere you find turmoil in the Middle East, you find Iran’s hand in it.’
“As the Administration determines its next steps, Congress must be involved in the debate, precisely as Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution requires.
“That is why I have been working with Senator Kaine to revise his resolution away from delivering a politically charged message to instead focus on the important substance that this issue demands.
“Unfortunately, due to Senate parliamentarian procedures, those revisions will not be incorporated until after a partisan vote to discharge occurs.
“While I appreciate Senator Kaine’s willingness to revise this bill, I will be opposing the motion to discharge and hope that we can continue working on this issue in a less politicized manner.
“Our service members are willing to put politics aside for our national security, we need to do the same.”
Background:
Since taking office, Senator Young has been deeply involved in the debate over Congress’ war making powers. These activities include calling on Congress to stop stretching the 2001 Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF), introducing a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against the Islamic State, updating outdated war making authorities in the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs, forcing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to debate the issue of an AUMF for Iran, and the need to repeal the outdated authorities enshrined in the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs.
