WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) announced an amendment to the War Powers Resolution curbing President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran absent approval from Congress that would clarify and make explicit the United States’ ability to continue supporting Israel’s self-defense after Iran struck its cities repeatedly, wounding hundreds in the past few days.  

The amendment complements Kaine’s War Powers resolution by reinforcing that the United States can continue to assist Israel and other regional partners in defending their people and territory, including intelligence sharing and defensive cooperation, and take all measures to protect U.S. personnel and facilities in the region.  

“The Trump Administration has claimed that we were at war, but declaring war is not their decision to make. Congress has the power to decide when America goes to war, and we owe Americans who are sick and tired of being thrown into conflicts without their consent the full exercising of our Constitutional obligation. This amendment would leave no doubt that Senator Kaine’s resolution would ensure that President Trump has to make the case to the American people for further action against Iran without constraining our ability to help defend the Israeli people from Iranian attacks,” said Senator Kim. 

“Donald Trump acted unconstitutionally by taking direct military action against Iran without prior congressional authorization, and Congress must reassert its power to decide when the country uses military force. We also want to be clear in the message we send to Iran: this resolution will not limit our ability to protect our troops or aid Israel in its own defense, should Iran continue to engage in attacks against us and our allies,” Senator Schiff said.  

“Last week, I introduced a war powers resolution to ensure Congress and the American people had a say in any potential U.S. conflict with Iran. Any decision to start a war must only come after a public debate and a clear understanding of the financial costs and risks to servicemembers. Following President Trump’s unauthorized strikes on Iran on Saturday, I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this amendment to underscore that the U.S. can continue to defend Israel without getting dragged into an endless war in the Middle East,” said Senator Kaine.  

Specifically, the amendment would clarify that nothing in the resolution would constrain the United States from:  

• Defending against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations;  

• Collecting, analyzing, or sharing intelligence, including with the State of Israel and other nations and international organizations as appropriate, related to threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran or its proxies; or  

• Assisting the State of Israel and other nations— (A) in taking defensive measures to protect their territory from retaliatory attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran or its proxies; or (B) by providing defensive materiel support for such defensive measures.  

The Senators, working in coordination with Sen. Kaine and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), expect the full Senate to vote on their amendment prior to a final vote of the privileged resolution.  

Consideration of the measure is expected before the July 4 recess.  

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