Republican from Ohio, American Sen. Jon Husted (left) and Bernie Moreno (right). (Official photos.)
The deadline of May 1 has passed Act of 1973 for President Donald Trump to obtain congressional approval for war with Iran. But it came and went without Trump asking — or when most Republicans in Congress demanded it.
Republican U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno of Ohio voted to block such resolutions, but both repeatedly ignored requests to explain their thinking.
The war costs Americans over $1 billion a day and affected gas prices over $4.78 per gallon in Ohio and is expected to do so cause food prices to be much higher than they are now.
At the same time, it did not lead to regime change or force Iran to abandon its nuclear program – two of Trump’s programs moving targets.
Meanwhile, with access to the Strait of Hormuz severely restricted, the United States and much of the rest of the world are in a worse position than before the United States and Israel began dropping bombs on February 28.
War is historically unpopular. For example, this is according to a PBS News/NPR/Marist poll released last week just 33% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling it.
Most Democrats in Congress – and a few Republicans – have repeatedly tried to force a vote to support the war under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
It was adopted after years of US involvement in the so-called undeclared war during which presidents he often lied about how well it went. It was an attempt by the Congress to confirm its thesis the constitutional power to decide whether a nation would go to war.
“The President shall, in every possible instance, consult with the Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or situations in which circumstances clearly indicate direct involvement in hostilities, and after each such introduction he shall consult regularly with the Congress until such time as United States Armed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities or are removed from such situations,” it said.
However, the current war continues, with Trump demanding a ceasefire even on both sides carry out attacks on each other. And the president continues to suggest it an agreement with Iran is close — after weeks of such promises and apocalyptic threats To have a resolution could not be adopted.
At the beginning of the month, the 60-day deadline for Congress to approve the armed forces resolution passed.
The law states that after this time “The President shall cease all apply of the Armed Forces of the United States…unless Congress (1) declares war or has given special authorization for such apply of the Armed Forces of the United States, (2) extends by law such sixty-day period, or (3) is physically incapacitated to assemble as a result of an armed attack on the United States.
Still, Husted and Moreno voted four times to block the vote of war powers until mid-April. April 30, on the eve of the statutory deadline, they voted that way again.
Neither senator’s office answered why they supported the war or explained what justified forcing Ohioans to pay such high gas rates.
Former Ohio Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is running against Husted in the November special election, said it is in the best interest of Ohioans to end the war now.
“Ohioans are struggling to make ends meet, and yet Jon Husted chooses to send tens of billions of dollars overseas rather than use them to help hardworking families at home,” Brown wrote in an email.
“Too many American soldiers incl three soldiers from Ohiothey lost their lives. Gasoline and diesel prices are rising rapidly. It is time to put an end to this conflict and focus on helping people here in Ohio rather than supporting a war that is making their lives harder.”
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