Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has reversed her original vote against a war powers resolution curtailing President Donald Trump’s ability to wage war in Iran, crossing the aisle to vote in favor of the measure with Democrats.
At the start of March, Collins toed the party line on the issue — and explained her reasoning in a lengthy press release.
“We cannot tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran,” Collins wrote. “The Iranian regime’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities, ballistic missile development, and support for terrorist proxies pose serious and longstanding threats to the national security of the United States and our allies. Iran has enormous stockpiles of missiles and one-way attack drones and the industrial capacity to continue to expand its arsenal. If the Iranian regime were allowed to continue developing ballistic missiles, it would soon be able to shield its nuclear facilities by threatening a grave and immediate response to any attack.”
“Passing this resolution now would send the wrong message to Iran and to our troops,” she concluded. “At this juncture, providing unequivocal support to our service members is critically important, as is ongoing consultation by the Administration with Congress.”
However, noted NBC News’ Sahil Kapur, “She had telegraphed she’d do this at the 60-day mark,” the deadline after which military engagements are supposed to require congressional approval. On Tuesday, she told reporters, “If there are military hostilities beyond the 60 days, Congress has to authorize them, or Congress can block them. But Congress has to act.”
“As I have said since these hostilities with Iran began, the President’s authority as Commander-in-Chief is not without limits,” Collins wrote on X. “The Constitution gives Congress an essential role in decisions of war and peace, and the War Powers Act establishes a clear 60-day deadline for Congress to either authorize or end U.S. involvement in foreign hostilities. That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement.”
Kapur noted Collins faces reelection and her presumptive opponent, Graham Platner, has “criticized her for supporting the war.”
On Thursday morning, Platner’s main rival for the Democratic nomination, incumbent Gov. Janet Mills, ended her campaign, citing a lack of funds.
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