Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
Despite support from Republican leaders in both chambers for Trump’s recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, efforts to reassert congressional war powers face long odds. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson were briefed before the strikes, but many lawmakers were not.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, plans to force a Senate vote this week on a measure requiring Trump to end hostilities unless Congress declares war. In the House, Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna are pushing for similar legislation.
"This is the U.S. jumping into a war of choice at Donald Trump’s urging, without any compelling national security interest... without a debate and vote in Congress," Kaine said on CBS' "Face the Nation".
Trump’s actions have exposed divisions within his own party. Massie, a member of the pro-Trump MAGA wing, criticised the president’s decision, arguing there was no imminent threat justifying unilateral military action.
"There was no imminent threat to the United States," Massie said. "We haven’t been briefed."
Intelligence remains divided over Iran’s nuclear intentions. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Iran could build a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks or months if it chose to. However, U.S. officials maintain that no decision has been made by Tehran to produce a bomb. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Trump responded to Massie’s criticism by pledging to support his primary challenger in 2026. "MAGA is not about lazy, grandstanding, nonproductive politicians," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Other Trump allies are also speaking out. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced concern about the strikes, saying the U.S. should not get involved in what she called a "hot war that Israel started", while maintaining her broader support for Trump.
Senator Lindsey Graham defended the president’s constitutional authority, saying, "If you don’t like what the president does in terms of war, you can cut off the funding."
Most Republicans praised the attacks, with Speaker Johnson stating that Trump acted on "imminent danger" that couldn’t wait for congressional approval.
Democrats warned the mission’s success was unclear and that U.S. actions could have long-term consequences. "We triumphantly declare the mission is accomplished the day after, and then we’re left with Americans bearing the consequences for decades," said Khanna.
Members of Congress are expected to receive a full briefing on the operation on Tuesday.
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Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Russia is willing in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in November, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
The modern state has been formed within the framework of the principle of secularism. For this reason, the principle of secularism is reflected in constitutional texts, which are regarded as a social contract and regulate relations between the state and society (citizens).
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Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Greece’s parliament has passed a bill banning under-15s from using social media from 1 January 2027, as the country steps up efforts to protect children online. The new law will require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday that 70,000 security forces would be mobilised throughout the country to keep order on Saturday, adding there have been calls for looting and violence from the ultra-left.
Missile and drone attacks have put Saudi Arabia on high alert, disrupting life in Riyadh and testing a new defence pact with Türkiye and Pakistan as regional tensions escalate.
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