Bernie Sanders Introduces Petition to Prohibit War With Iran Without Congress' Approval

By Rachel Frazin, The Hill

17 May 19

residential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) launched a petition Thursday to "tell Congress to pass legislation that would prohibit military action against Iran without Congressional approval."

"Unfortunately for this president and people like [National Security Adviser] John Bolton who love endless wars, the constitutional authority for declaring war rests with the United States Congress — not the president –– no matter if that president is a Democrat or a Republican," Sanders said in a campaign email to supporters.

"It is long past time my colleagues in the Senate reassert that authority," he added. "It is something we must do again as the president marches us toward war with Iran." 

The petition also asked signers to contribute to Sanders' campaign.

Tensions between the U.S. and the Middle Eastern nation have escalated in recent weeks. President Trump has reportedly told Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan that he does not want the U.S. to go to war with Iran despite calls from some advisers. Earlier this week, Trump denied a report that his administration is working on a plan to deploy 120,000 troops to the Middle East, but said he would “absolutely” send them if it were necessary. 

Congressional leaders Thursday also received a confidential briefing in Iran. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) made remarks similar to Sanders' sentiments Thursday, telling reporters that "the responsibility in the Constitution is for Congress to declare war." 

"I hope that the president's advisers recognize they have no authorization to go forward in any way," she said. 

Sanders is among more than 20 people competing for the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination.