Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Wednesday lamented being the only Republican lawmaker who crossed the aisle earlier that day to join Democrats in an ultimately failed attempt to pass a war powers resolution — to rein in President Donald Trump amid his ongoing war on Iran.
Paul explained on MS NOW during an appearance on “The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle” that there was “an extensive debate” when America was founded about the authorization of military force, and that the founders agreed this should require a majority vote in Congress.
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“That’s the way you’re supposed to go to war,” Paul said Wednesday. “That’s the constitutional way. But above and beyond that, even if you were to vote, there’s a question of, is there an imminent threat — is there something that’s [threatening] international security?”
The Kentucky Republican continued, “And I actually think we’re made weaker by this war. The more we spend and the more debt we incur, that’s the real danger to our country. I think the danger is from within, not from without.”
Wednesday marked the fifth failed effort from Democrats to pass a war powers resolution since the conflict began in February. Paul crossed the aisle to vote in favor of it alongside Democrats, while Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the only Democrat to vote against it.
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Paul explained on MS NOW that the War Powers Resolution Act of 1973 includes a statutory 60-day deadline when a U.S. president has to legally cease his use of military force unless Congress formally votes to declare war — and noted that this deadline is rapidly approaching.
“So, we’re getting close to 60 days,” said Paul. “I think we’re around 50 days or so. So this will probably come up again in a week or two. I think it if comes up after 60 days, there’s four or five other Republicans who may join the vote and there may well be a majority.”
Paul has broken with Trump on various issues over the past year, most vocally on his use of lethal U.S. airstrikes on alleged drug boats in Caribbean and Pacific waters. The constitutional conservative publicly decried these attacks as “summary execution” in October.
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