War Powers

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed by a vote of 215-208 a resolution instructing U.S. President Donald Trump to end the U.S. military operation in Iran. Four Republicans joined with Democrats to pass the measure, which would now need to pass the U.S. Senate to be considered by the president. The Senate is not expected to approve the measure, and the vote in the House is not sufficient to withstand a presidential veto.

Analysis and eternal perspective: While last week’s resolution is very unlikely to be enacted, the House vote does indicate a growing impatience with the prolonged military action in Iran. Much of the angst stems from the duration of the conflict, given there has been no formal declaration of war.

Article I, Section 8 declares, “The Congress shall have Power . . . To declare War.” This is one of the more absolute grants of power to a branch of the federal government, and yet it has long been subject to intense debate and disagreement in application. While few dispute Congress’s authority to declare war, numerous presidents of both parties have asserted broad authority (often derived from congressional authorizations for use of military force) as Commander-in-Chief to direct extended military operations without a war declaration.

This has become a common tension between the Article I branch (Legislative) and the Article II branch (Executive). However, as a military engagement gets lengthier, the general view is that a president’s authority to act without Congress gets weaker. This week’s vote is a sign that a weakening of the authority is indeed occurring, though it appears the Congress is not particularly close to the consensus level required to enact such a measure.

As a Jesus follower, you should pray for and seek peace (Ps. 34:14). This is more than simply a cessation of war, however. You and I should also be fervently committed to relief for the oppressed (Is. 1:17), including for those living in Iran and those routinely targeted by Iran’s terroristic behavior.

This is a difficult balance to strike, and once again highlights a divergence of duties. The governing duty is one of devotion to the law that articulates the limits of power. Your duty is to those who are oppressed, and as an accountability force for those in power.