Lawmakers Urge Trump Not to Veto Yemen War Powers Challenge

Letter says Trump has opportunity to restore cooperation with Congress

A bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the Senate and the House have issued a letter to President Trump urging him not to veto the SJ Res 7 War Powers Act challenge to the Yemen War. The resolution passed the Senate last month, and the House on Thursday.

The War Powers Act requires the president to get the approval of Congress for any overseas military conflicts, and allows Congress to demand a withdrawal form those nations if the operation is unauthorized. The Yemen War was never authorized by Congress.

President Trump has threatened to veto the resolution, and the letter urges him not to, arguing that he has an historic opportunity to set a precedent for cooperation with Congress by complying with the law and ending an unconstitutional war that was launched under President Obama.

Though the constitution gives Congress exclusive war-making powers, Trump’s aides have argued that as commander in chief Congress shouldn’t question his operations. Since the War Powers Act is meant to codify Congress’ already constitutional powers, it is somewhat strange to think it can be vetoed anyhow

President Trump is known to change his mind. Let’s help change it: Invest a phone call for peace, call the White House and tell President Trump to sign SJRes7.

Call 202-456-1111: The comment line is staffed from 9am to 4pm Eastern time Monday through Friday. Be ready to talk.

Or fill out the comment form: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ But phone calls are more effective.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.