politics
Republican Lawmaker States Congress Will Act if Iran Conflict Exceeds 60-to-90-Day Window
U.S. Representative Mike Lawler said on NBC's Meet the Press that Congress would take action if the ongoing conflict with Iran extends beyond a 60-to-90-day period under the War Powers Act. Lawler described U.S. military operations as having eliminated key Iranian leadership and capabilities. The administration has described the conflict's timeline as fluid, with no fixed end date.
Apr 5, 2:31 PM·2m read1 source
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Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, appeared on NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday. During the interview with host Kristen Welker, Lawler addressed the ongoing U.S. military conflict with Iran, referred to as Operation Epic Fury.
Lawler stated that Congress would need to take action if the conflict exceeds a 60-to-90-day window. He referenced the War Powers Act, which requires the president to terminate military use within 60 days after submitting a report unless Congress declares war, enacts specific authorization, or extends the period by law.
The act mandates the president to convene Congress to consider the report and take appropriate action.
Welker quoted Senator John Curtis, a Republican from Utah, who said the Constitution assigns the legislative branch the clear and explicit right to declare war, and according that power to the president without congressional declaration renders congressional authority void.
She asked Lawler if President Donald Trump needs congressional approval for more funding or time to continue the conflict. Lawler responded that Congress has not declared war since World War II, though it has been involved in conflicts including Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
“As this moves forward, if it goes beyond the 60-to-90-day window, then yes, Congress will need to take necessary action. And I would support that.”
Lawler described the U.S. operations over the past five weeks as having eliminated much of Iran's leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), obliterated air defenses, the ballistic missiles program, drone program, and naval fleet. He said these steps address the threat posed by a potential nuclear Iran.
