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Bernie Sanders denounces Israeli air campaign in Iran as ‘illegal,’ drafts bill to prevent US involvement

Vermont senator drafts bill aimed at barring Trump from joining Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear program; Democrats vow to back lone House Republican’s bid to bar US entry into the war.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

A lone congressional Republican has joined a group of Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, working to pass legislation that would bar President Donald Trump from involving the United States in the ongoing war between Israel and Iran.

On Monday night, Rep. Thomas Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican who represents much of northern Kentucky, announced his plan to push Tuesday for a war powers resolution to preclude American involvement in the war.

“This is not our war,” Massie declared. “But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution. I’m introducing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow to prohibit our involvement. I invite all members of Congress to cosponsor this resolution.”

In the past, Massie has opposed all U.S. aid to Israel and voted against resolutions condemning antisemitism – including casting the lone nay vote against a 2022 bipartisan measure.

Several House Democrats lauded Massie’s bill and vowed to vote in favor of it.

“I look forward to supporting this War Powers Resolution,” said Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib, a member of the far-left “Squad” and a longtime critic of Israel.

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“The American people aren’t falling for it again. We were lied to about ‘weapons of mass destruction’ in Iraq that killed millions + forever changed lives. It’s unconst’l for Trump to go to war without a vote in Congress,” she wrote on X.

California Democrat Ro Khanna said he would co-sponsor Massie’s bill in the House, castigating “neocons” – a term frequently used as a dog whistle for criticism of American Jews – for advocating American involvement in the war.

“No war in Iran. It’s time for every member to go on record. Are you with the neocons who led us into Iraq, or do you stand with the American people? I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan War Powers Resolution with Rep. Massie that is privileged and must receive a vote.”

New York Democrat and Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X that she was “signing on” to Massie’s bill.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) ripped both Ocasio-Cortez and Massie over their attempt to pass a war powers resolution, signaling his intention to vote against it.

“If AOC and Massie are a yes, that’s a good bet that I’ll be a no. Iran, China, Russia and North Korea are not our friends or our allies — in fact, they are working to undermine us and destabilize the free world. A nuclear Iran will seek to eradicate Israel and all but ensure WWIII. We cannot allow that to happen. We must stand with Israel,” he stated.

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In the Senate, two members of the Democratic caucus introduced bills on Monday that were also aimed at preventing U.S. involvement in the Iran war.

Tim Kaine (D-VA), the Democratic vice presidential candidate who ran alongside Hillary Clinton in 2016, drafted a war powers measure that would bar the military from operating directly against Iran without explicit approval from Congress.

“It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States. I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict,” Kaine said.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats, introduced a separate bill in the Senate, dubbed the No War Against Iran Act, that would prohibit the use of federal funds toward hostilities with Iran absent explicit approval from Congress.

Seven other Senate Democrats have signed onto Sanders’ bill, including Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA.), Jeff Merkley (D-OR.), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Tina Smith (D-MN).

Sanders did not limit his criticism to potential American involvement in the war, however, castigating Israel for what he called “illegal attacks” on Iran.

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“Netanyahu’s reckless and illegal attacks violate international law and risk igniting a regional war. Congress must make it clear that the United States will not be dragged into Netanyahu’s war of choice,” he said.

“Netanyahu began this war with his attack on Iran. In the process, he sabotaged U.S.-Iran negotiations on nuclear issues.”