The Kaine bill War Power Act failed.
June 27 2025
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Kaine Statement on Senate Vote on His War Powers Resolution on Iran
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement after the Senate failed to advance his war powers resolution to require that any U.S. participation in offensive hostilities against Iran be explicitly authorized by Congress through a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force:
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“The Framers of our Constitution gave Congress the power to declare war because they believed that the decision to send our nation’s men and women in uniform into harm’s way was too big for any one person. The Trump Administration’s chaotic strategy on Iran confused the American people and created significant risks for servicemembers and their families. I am disappointed that many of my colleagues are not willing to stand up and say Congress needs to be part of a decision as important as whether or not the U.S. should send our nation’s sons and daughters to fight against Iran. I will continue to do all I can to keep presidents of any party from starting wars without robust public debate by Congress.”
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For years, Kaine has been a leading voice in Congress raising concerns over presidents’ efforts to expand the use of military force without congressional authorization. In 2017, Kaine wrote a piece in TIME warning of the consequences if President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal with Iran. In 2018, Kaine wrote a piece in The Atlantic warning that Trump was blundering toward war with Iran. In March 2020, Congress passed Kaine’s bipartisan war powers resolution to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran without congressional authorization. In 2023, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation led by Kaine to repeal the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) and formally end the Gulf and Iraq wars.
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Kaine spoke on the Senate floor prior to the vote. The full speech can be found here.
STOP TRUMP'S ILLEGAL WAR ACT AGAINST IRAN
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The ceasefire is falling apart!
Congress needs to be involved in any military action. CALL NOW!
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Trump bombed Iran's nuclear facilities without Congressional authority and without notifying Congressional leadership. We believe that action was wrong and illegal.
Congress MUST reign Trump in NOW!
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There are bipartisan bills in the House and Senate to require Congressional authority before any more military action is taken in the Iran-Israel war.
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Your calls to Congressional leadership and specific Republicans will make a difference. ​Demand that Congress reclaim its authority, tighten oversight, and prevent unauthorized or extended military engagements before it is too late! ​​​
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War Powers Resolution of 1973, also known as the War Powers Act, is a U.S. federal law intended to check the President's power to commit the United States to armed conflict without the consent of Congress.
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The War Powers Resolution aims to ensure both the President and Congress share the responsibility of deciding when and how the U.S. military is committed to armed conflict. It seeks to prevent the President from unilaterally engaging the nation in prolonged wars.
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Based on Article I, Section 8: only Congress can declare war or authorize force. While the 1973 War Powers Resolution set a 60-day limit on unauthorized deployments, administrations often bypassed its intent.
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Reassert Congressional control over war-making authority. By mandating a public debate and vote before any military action against Iran, it seeks to reinforce the checks and balances intended by the Constitution—especially in hotspots that could pull the U.S. into another “forever war.”
Congressional Leadership contact info
Other contact information:
Possible Scripts for when you call
Calling Senator Leadership:
Hello - My name is _________________. I am calling from ____________.
I’m furious that Donald Trump just launched America into a war with Iran without any authorization from Congress. This is illegal and unconstitutional. Congress needs to call an emergency session to force a vote to stop him. Also, Trump needs to be impeached. I want the Senate to call for the House to impeach him now! Thank you.
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Calling House Leadership:
Hello - My name is _________________. I am calling from ____________. I’m furious that Donald Trump just launched America into a war with Iran without any authorization from Congress. This is illegal and unconstitutional. Congress needs to call an emergency session to force a vote to stop him. Also, Trump needs to be impeached. This is not his first impeachable offense—by a long shot—but it is the most egregious. The House must impeach now! Thank you.
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Either Senate or House members:
I’m calling to urge you to support [if calling Senate: S.J.Res. 59 / if calling House: H.Con.Res. 38], the bipartisan war powers resolution, and curtail the Trump administration’s ability to involve the U.S. in the Israel-Iran war without congressional authorization. Congress must maintain its authority and prevent us from getting into yet another endless war. Thank you for your time and consideration.