WASHINGTON: Progressive Democrats have vehemently criticised the US decision to launch retaliatory strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Support by some Republicans, they argued that President Joe Biden violated the US Constitution by not seeking congressional approval first. But several Republicans offered rare praise of the administration, calling it an “overdue” act of deterrence, BBC News reported.
President Biden Thursday called the precision strikes a “defensive action”.
In a joint statement with coalition partners – the UK, Canada, Australia, Bahrain, and the Netherlands – the White House said it had acted “in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense, consistent with the United Nations charter”.
Though president Biden notified Congress prior to the strikes launched on 16 Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, he did not seek its approval.
Several progressives in the president’s party viewed that his actions violated Article I of the Constitution, which requires that the power to declare war be granted by Congress.
“This is an unacceptable violation of the Constitution,” chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Pramila Jayapal wrote on X.
“The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict,” said California Congressman Ro Khanna. “I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.”
“The people do not want more of our taxpayer dollars going to endless war and the killing of civilians,” added Missouri’s Cori Bush. “Stop the bombing and do better by us.”
Even some Republicans added their voice of disapproval.
“I am potentially fine with striking Yemen to defend critical shipping channel & response to aggression, but why is Congress not making calls to strike a foreign country with pre-meditation? Under what authority was this carried out?” asked Rep Chip Roy of Texas.
US presidents, from Barack Obama to Donald Trump, have often carried out strikes without first seeking approval from congress.
After Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian spymaster Qasem Soleimani, president Biden argued that presidents “should never take this nation to war without the informed consent of the American people”.
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But under the Biden administration, the US military has previously launched strikes in Iraq and Syria without going to Congress.
Despite criticism from some Congress, top Republicans and Democrats have backed Biden’s decision.
In a statement Thursday night Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said, “I welcome the US and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels.”
“President Biden’s decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue,” the top Republican said further and Ben Cardin, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate foreign relations committee, agreed.
“I support President Biden’s decision to take precise action against these increasingly dangerous provocations that have threatened the interests of the US and our allies, and welcome our coalition partners taking these actions with us,” Mr Cardin said.
In his statement on Thursday, Mr Biden said he “will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary”.
