Rep. Kinzinger Can’t Get Cosponsors for Ukraine War Powers Bill

The bill would authorize Biden to go to war with Russia in Ukraine if he determined Moscow used chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) has failed to gain support for a bill he introduced that would give President Biden the authority to wage war against Russia if he determined Moscow used chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Kinzinger announced that he introduced the bill on Sunday, but as of Thursday, the legislation has not gained a single cosponsor.

The bill Kinzinger introduced is an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) that he said was necessary to draw a “red line” against Moscow’s use of WMDs. “I’m introducing this AUMF as a clear red line so the Administration can take appropriate action should Russia use chemical, biological, and/or nuclear weapons,” Kinzinger said.

The legislation would allow President Biden to determine if Russia used chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons in Ukraine. If the president determined such weapons were used, the AUMF would give him sweeping authority to wage war, which would only be terminated once the president “certifies to Congress that the territorial integrity of Ukraine has been restored.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Kinzinger has been an outspoken proponent of US and NATO intervention in the war despite the obvious risk of nuclear war. He initially was calling for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, which would require the US to shoot down Russian warplanes and bomb surface-to-air missiles inside Russian territory.

President Biden has rejected the calls for a no-fly zone and has repeatedly said he won’t send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia directly, although he is still risking provoking Moscow by sending billions in weapons into Ukraine.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.