‘It’s the law’: Nebraska congressman mulls reining in Trump administration on Iran War

A Nebraska congressman is among a number of lawmakers on Capitol Hill weighing the use of the War Powers Act to halt the Trump administration’s use of force in Iran.Rep. Don Bacon has voted down a similar measure earlier in the war, saying he wanted President Donald Trump to “finish the job.”The War Powers Act, designed as a check on the president’s power to commit armed forces without congressional consent, requires Congress to authorize use of force after 60 days. Now, at day 67 of the conflict, Bacon said he is mulling putting up a congressional roadblock. “There have been some primarily on the Democrat side that wanted to do a War Powers resolution preventing any operations,” Bacon said in an interview with KETV. “And there may be some Republicans, to include myself, that would, maybe, that are considering voting for that because I think it’s the law. And that would compel the president to have to do an authorization to use force… In the end, I want to follow the law.”Bacon said he’s fully in support of crippling Iran’s military, and he encourages Trump to make his case to Congress and ask for authorization.”Iran remains a threat,” he said. “The leadership remains defiant. And I think, yes, we degraded their military, but three, four or five, six years, I don’t know, with China and Russia’s help, they’ll be a threat once again. And so I think we have more work to do.”The Trump administration has maintained that since the start of a ceasefire last month, the War Powers clock that ticks to 60 days stopped in place. Bacon says that ceasefire has been faulty, pointing to strikes on the UAE on Tuesday, and urges Trump to get authorization from Congress so he can retaliate.”We’re at the spot where we’re going to have to return fire, which means you do need the authorization to use force,” he said.Sen. Pete Ricketts, who spoke at a Lincoln Chamber of Commerce event on Wednesday, follows the Trump line.”I don’t believe that the conflict is ongoing right now,” Ricketts said. “So that would again make the whole war powers same kind of moot. I also believe that the president has the authority to defend us.”Ricketts called for a swift end to the war as farmers and consumers in Nebraska pay the costs at the pump.”Really looking for the administration to look to see what we can do to kind of get this wrapped up and get that commerce going through the Strait of Hormuz, flowing as quickly as possible,” Ricketts said. “But understanding also that we can’t allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”Rep. Mike Flood echoed that urgency in a statement on Wednesday evening, saying it is “important now to reach a deal” to end the war.“We need an agreement that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, stops the regime from funding terrorist groups, and reopens free passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Flood said. “I am confident that the administration is making significant progress toward achieving all three of these goals.”Political experts say this moment is unprecedent an that Congress will have to take a stand soon, even to appropriate funds to restock the munitions used in the war.”Does Congress say you have to stop and come home right now? Is the president obligated to pack everything up and come home?” Dr. Tyler White, a UNL political science professor, said. “We haven’t really breached that 60-day period in a way like we are now. And I think it probably depends on congressional will as to what they would require.”Bacon said a War Powers resolution would likely be a toss-up.”I’m not sure if there’s support there or not,” he said.Bacon said he expects Congress will vote on it in the coming days.