It is critical for members of Congress to go on the record regarding the conflict in Iran to ensure future accountability for their actions.

“It would create some problems for them as I think it's sort of like it would create problems acknowledgement of that from Trump here. But uh just to have everyone on the record is extremely important because it will be hard to hold people accountable after the fact”

Congressional failure to vote on a war powers resolution regarding the conflict in Iran represents a significant abdication of constitutional responsibility.

“To have boots on the ground in a foreign country with no authorization is the absolute height of cowardice from every single member of the United States Congress.”

Congressman Ro Khanna asserts that Congress should have the authority to debate and approve the current military involvement in the Iran war.

“It was very disappointing. Disappointing because we've already lost six American service members. Because we're literally spending over a billion dollars a day. I mean, just to put this in perspective, 50 days in Iran could fund free public college education for every American in this country”

Congress has a constitutional duty to be in session and hold hearings to provide oversight of the executive branch during times of conflict.

“not normalize this breach of the Constitution starting this war without the American people's approval. You know, this is something that I feel like we have to draw a line.”

The president has disregarded the constitutional requirement that only Congress has the power to declare war, treating foreign military action as an extension of his own authority.

“He's just blown through those norms. And so in that sense, I think there's a relationship. If you're engaged in a self coup at home, it's not surprising that you're going to use um extensive military power abroad.”

Congress has abdicated its responsibility to oversee war-making, rendering the power of the purse as its only remaining effective tool to check presidential aggression.

“I just go back to this idea that really ultimately what we're learning is the only real power that Congress has. It may there may be a line in the Constitution to declare war. The only real power it has here is the power of the purse.”

He argues that legitimate American military action should be strictly limited to defensive responses against imminent threats.

“WHY DOES NOBODY SAY, HEY, HERE'S an idea. Only defensive wars for protection against imminent attack.”

He believes the fundamental problem is that Congress has abdicated its constitutionally mandated role in overseeing and authorizing military conflicts.

“there is no there's no deeper conversation about the need to legitimately pull war powers back into the hands of Congress. And and that to me is that's that's the that's the fundamental problem.”