Golden announces support for ‘clean’ resolution to constrain military action in Iran

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced he would vote in favor of a ‘clean’ war powers resolution to remove the United States from hostilities against Iran. 

One such resolution, H.Con.Res.86, sponsored by Congressman Gregory Meeks (NY-05), will become eligible for a floor vote as early as next week. 

“I have said since the start of this conflict that the War Powers Act of 1973 grants the president only 60 days to conduct military operations without an explicit authorization from Congress,” Golden said. “President Trump, like all his predecessors, has refused to recognize the limitations of the War Powers Act, but to me the law is clear. His window for unilateral military engagement has closed. Hostilities, including the use of the U.S. fleet to impose a blockade of Iranian ports, cannot legally continue unless the president seeks, and wins, Congressional approval.”

H.Con.Res.86 will be the first clean war powers resolution eligible for a vote since the 60-day deadline for the president to seek Congressional authorization was surpassed on May 1. Golden has opposed prior resolutions in recognition that the administration had, to that point, met its obligations under the War Powers Act. 

Golden also announced that he will oppose a separate resolution, offered by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), that has been widely reported to be coming to the floor for a vote this week. That measure, H.Con.Res.75, was originally submitted on March 4 and would have reduced the deadline for Congressional authorization from 60 days to 30 days. This resolution was rendered moot one day after the 30-day deadline it sought to impose on the president.

“I supported this resolution when it was introduced, but unfortunately its proposed 30-day deadline lacks any real meaning now that we are more than 70 days into this conflict,” Golden said. “It no longer passes the straight-face test. I look forward to voting for a clean, relevant resolution as soon as possible.”

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