Democratic Senator says resolution aims to keep US out of war with Iran

Marzia Hussaini
Marzia Hussaini

Iran International

Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) questions U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a Senate foreign Relations Committee hearing on the State Department budget request in Washington, U.S. April 10, 2019.
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) questions U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a Senate foreign Relations Committee hearing on the State Department budget request in Washington, U.S. April 10, 2019.

A resolution introduced on Monday by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine aims to keep the United States out of a war with Iran, he told Iran International, while US President Trump attempted to head off some dissent among populist supporters.

"My main focus is i want to try to keep the United States out of another war in the Middle East," the Virginia lawmaker said. "I really want to focus on the United States side of this, so I filed a resolution this morning to say the United States should not be at war with Iran without a vote of Congress," Kaine added.

"Obviously, if Iran were attacking the United States, then we need to defend ourselves and you don't need to vote in Congress to do that but we should generally not be involved," he added.

Meanwhile Trump appeared keen to scotch some prominent dissent from luminaries in his populist coalition who voiced disapproval with American involvement in the conflict.

"AMERICA FIRST means many GREAT things, including the fact that, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Some of Trump's supporters have criticized Trump's hawkish stance on Iran as a deviation from his populist and anti-war campaign promises.

"Somebody please explain to kooky Tucker Carlson that, 'IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!'" Trump added, referring to a top right-wing commentator who opposes conflict with Iran.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Green meanwhile torched fellow supporters of President Trump who call for the United States to attack Iran.

"Anyone slobbering for the U.S. to become fully involved in the Israel/Iran war is not America First/MAGA," @RepMTG posted on X. "We are sick and tired of foreign wars."

Kentucky Republic Thomas Massie said the United States had no place in the conflict and would aim to ensure congressional approval for any military action.

"This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution," he wrote on X. "I’m introducing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow to prohibit our involvement."

For his part, left -wing stalwart Senator Bernie Sanders warned against more costly military entanglements in the region.

"Another war in the Middle East could cost countless lives, waste trillions more dollars, and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, and more displacement," Sanders wrote on X.