Rep Tom Barrett breaks with Trump on Iran war amid tough re-election bid
KT McFarland on the Iran nuclear deal, its implementation and China’s role
KT McFarland, former deputy national security adviser, analyzes the US peace proposal to Iran. It highlights Iran’s historic non-compliance and the need for “rapid inspections” for any nuclear deal. McFarland highlights China’s vital interest in Iranian oil supplies and diplomatic efforts in Beijing ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
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A House Republican facing a tough re-election fight is moving to impose strict limits on the war in Iran, breaking with the Trump administration’s assertion that hostilities are over.
Rep. Tom Barrett, Republican of Michigan, introduced a resolution Thursday that would authorize war until the end of July to permanently degrade Iran’s nuclear program, address “imminent threats,” impose a naval blockade and ensure the safe passage of U.S. ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
But the measure would also establish strict guidelines on prolonged military operations by limiting field operations and prohibiting “nation building” or the occupation or seizure of Iranian territory.
“Two things have been clear from the beginning: Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the United States of America cannot be drawn into another endless war,” said Barrett, an Army veteran who has served multiple tours in the Middle East. “The Commander in Chief has the sole authority to direct our troops in war, but I have lost too many friends on the battlefield to allow that to happen without Congress exercising its constitutional role of clearly defining the mission with safeguards and a deadline.”
Former President Donald Trump is pictured in an image linked to the US operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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“If we do not learn from our past foreign policy failures, we are doomed to repeat them,” he added.
The senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska also pledged to introduce a similar measure in the upper chamber authorizing the use of military force within strict limits, which she described as “restraint” from Trump.
Barrett’s measure follows the White House largely ignoring the 60-day deadline to end the war Friday by arguing that the ceasefire that began April 7 effectively stopped the clock on the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Under the war powers provision, the administration is required to end hostilities within 60 to 90 days without congressional approval.
“For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have ended,” a senior administration official told Fox News Digital last week.
“The two sides agreed on Tuesday April 7 to a two-week ceasefire, which has since been extended,” the official continued. “There have been no exchanges of fire between the US armed forces and Iran since Tuesday April 7.”
A press release issued by Barrett’s office said “US military operations are ongoing.”
Rep. Tom Barrett, Republican of Michigan, said Thursday that the U.S. military cannot be drawn into “another endless war.” (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP)
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted Tuesday that the 1973 War Powers Resolution was unconstitutional and that the administration was only complying in part out of respect for Congress.
“We are complying with it in terms of notification because we want to preserve good relations with Congress,” Rubio told reporters at a news conference. “And we do that.”
Trump has repeatedly extended the ceasefire with Iran as both sides work with mediators to permanently end the war.
Barrett’s resolution would also allow for an additional 30-day “wind-down period” if the Trump administration intends to extend hostilities beyond the July 30 deadline.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the 1973 War Powers Resolution was “100 percent unconstitutional.” (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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The resolution comes as Barrett, a new lawmaker representing a Lansing-area district, faces a potentially bruising re-election bid ahead of the November midterm elections.
Bridget Brink, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden, and retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam are facing off in a crowded Democratic primary to unseat Barrett in the swing seat.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report calls his re-election bid a “coin toss.”
It’s unclear whether Barrett will join Democrats in supporting a war powers resolution that would block military action against Iran without congressional approval when lawmakers return to Washington next week.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
