U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to a resolution proposed by Democrats that seeks to limit President Trump’s military actions against Iran. Risch argued that passing the resolution would require withdrawing U.S. troops from the Middle East, which he said would endanger both American servicemembers and national interests.
Risch stated, “Every single president, Democrat and Republican, has refused to say that the War Powers Act is constitutional. They have always said that it infringes on the president’s Article II constitutional authorities to defend the American people, and to complete the oath they’ve taken to defend the country.”
He also referenced historical precedent for presidential military action without congressional approval: “45 of the last 47 presidents have ordered kinetic acts just like President Trump has done, without going to Congress. This isn’t new…The Constitution, Article II, clearly gives the president not only the right, but, indeed, the duty, as does his oath, to protect the United States…”
Risch discussed changes in Middle Eastern geopolitics over recent decades: “Over these 47 years, while the Arab countries have moved towards peace and security in the region, Iran has continued to murder thousands of Americans…The Arab countries want nothing to do with this, and we’re going to deal with a different Middle East than what we have today. Today, I am more optimistic than I have ever been about the Middle East. I really believe that when we end this and the Iranian regime is brought down, we are going to have a Middle East that is going to be very peaceful, and it’s going to be a different Middle East as we go forward…”
He sent a message directed at Iran’s leadership: “The message to the regime that I would have today for them is that no one is coming to help. China’s not coming. Russia’s not coming. North Korea’s not coming. Cuba’s not coming. Venezuela’s not coming. They are not coming to help you, Iran. No one is coming, but there is one entity left that is trying to help you, Iranian regime. And that’s my Democratic friends over here…But we’re going to end that now…”
Addressing U.S troops serving overseas under current policy directives he added: “To our brave men and women, I say, you’re fighting to accomplish the task and the objectives that the President, our Commander in Chief, has given you. We are proud of you. We are about to help you. Know this—we have your back.”
As chairman of one of Congress’s original standing committees established in 1816 (official website), Risch leads efforts among majority members within an organization focused on shaping U.S foreign policy through legislative review (official website). The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has historically influenced major decisions such as supporting post-World War II recovery programs including both The Truman Doctrine (1947) and Marshall Plan (1948), as well as rejecting international agreements like The Treaty of Versailles after World War I (official website). It continues its work today as part of broader government responsibilities concerning international relations (official website).
