Lisa Murkowski Plans AUMF With 6 Limits on Iran War
Lisa Murkowski said Congress must assert its authority over the war against Iran and plans to introduce an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, or AUMF. On Thursday, she said she does not accept open-ended military action without clear direction or accountability.
The Alaska senator said the measure would both authorize and limit the conflict. She said it would require the administration to define what the United States is trying to achieve, how it plans to do it, and to report to Congress.
Murkowski Senate floor speech
"Congress has a role. Congress has to step up and fulfill that role, that obligation that the Constitution assigns to us," Murkowski said in a speech on the Senate floor. She also said, "An AUMF recognizes the reality that the U.S. military is already engaged and provides structure and clarity by requiring the administration to define what we’re trying to achieve and the means of achieving it," and, "It requires reporting to Congress. And it brings transparency where little has existed over the past two months."
Murkowski has already voted against six Democratic resolutions to immediately end the war. She said an abrupt withdrawal was not a good strategic move, even as she pressed for a vote that would place limits on the administration’s conduct.
Republicans and Pete Hegseth
Her move could come as soon as next week and could become the most concrete step yet by a Republican senator to place limits on the Trump administration’s prosecution of the war. A few Republicans have raised concerns about the cost and about a lack of information from the administration on strategy.
Dan Sullivan, Alaska’s other senator, took a different approach at a hearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He said, "Mr. Secretary, I mentioned it in the classified hearing today, but I do think the $1.5 trillion top line is historic," and added, "It meets the needs."
Sullivan also praised the administration for requesting money to modernize Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. He asked no questions about the war except to point out that the U.S. did not intentionally target civilians in an airstrike that destroyed a school in Iran.
