US Senator Bernie Sanders introduces bill to block Trump from striking Iran
Sanders’s “No War Against Iran Act” would prohibit the use of federal funds for any use of military force against Iran unless it has been specifically authorised by the US Congress.
“Netanyahu’s reckless and illegal attacks violate international law and risk igniting a regional war. Congress must make it clear that the United States will not be dragged into Netanyahu’s war of choice,” Sanders, an independent who represents Vermont, said in a statement.
“Our Founding Fathers entrusted the power of war and peace exclusively to the people’s elected representatives in Congress, and it is imperative that we make clear that the President has no authority to embark on another costly war without explicit authorisation by Congress.”
While the bill has a number of Democratic co-sponsors, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, it is unlikely to become law, as Republicans control both the Senate and the House of Representatives, while Trump has veto power over legislation that comes across his desk.
Tonight, I introduced legislation to stop Trump from from leading us into an illegal war with Iran.
Another war in the Middle East could cost countless lives, waste trillions more dollars, and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, and more displacement. pic.twitter.com/CchHlSnLZy
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 17, 2025
Republican legislator announces push to ‘prohibit US involvement’ in Israel-Iran conflict
We’ve been covering separate efforts in the US Senate, by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, to limit US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.
There now appears to be a similar push in the US House of Representatives by a member of Trump’s Republican party.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie announced on X a short while ago that he will introduce a bipartisan War Powers Resolution on Tuesday “to prohibit our involvement” in the conflict.
“This is not our war,” he wrote. “But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.”
This is not our war.
But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.
I’m introducing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow to prohibit our involvement.
I invite all members of Congress to cosponsor this resolution.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 16, 2025
Iranian-American lawmaker slams Trump’s call to evacuate Tehran
Yassamin Ansari, who became the second person of Iranian descent to be elected to the US House of Representatives last year, has described Trump’s suggestion that “everyone” leave the Iranian capital as “callous and horrifying”.
“Tehran is a massive city of nearly 10 million. Iranian people deserve freedom, but Trump’s threat of murdering innocent civilians, a mass casualty event, or another endless war is not the answer,” Ansari said on X.
Both of my parents fled Iran so this is personal. Trump's words are callous and horrifying.
Tehran is a massive city of nearly 10 million. Iranian people deserve freedom but Trump’s threat of murdering innocent civilians, a mass casualty event, or another endless war is not the… pic.twitter.com/lQLBBYNaaR
— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) June 16, 2025
