HUDSON, N.H. — Members of New Hampshire’s congressional delegation are calling for more information, including what intelligence the Trump administration had that led to the decision to bomb nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend.
Sen. Maggie Hassan and Rep. Maggie Goodlander took part in an event Monday morning in Hudson before heading back to Washington, D.C.
Goodlander is also calling into question the constitutionality of the U.S. attack.
She and 12 other members of the House sent President Donald Trump a letter concerning congressional authority over war powers and declaring support for the War Powers Resolution, which traditionally requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of military action.
“There are good reasons why the United States Constitution gives the United States Congress an important role to play in questions of war and peace and I am fighting to make sure that Congress is playing that role because we have not been briefed by this administration,” Goodlander said.
“I am thinking about our servicemen and women in harm’s way. Our priority right now has to be to make sure they are protected,” Hassan said.
Rep. Chris Pappas released a new statement on Monday, echoing similar sentiments on asking the Trump administration to follow the War Powers Resolution and to prioritize diplomacy. See his full statement here.
Plymouth State University political science professor John Lappie explained there are a lot of gray areas in war powers as it relates to the Constitution.
“So as a matter of practicality, it simply does come down to can you get it done without needing Congress to fund the operation,” he said.
Others in Congress are still calling for diplomacy, something the White House says is ongoing.
“The Secretary of Defense said yesterday there has been both public and private messages sent to the Iranians since the very successful operation on Saturday nights, and that remains,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
House members are expected to receive classified briefings Tuesday afternoon.
https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-delegation-us-airstrikes-iran-623/65160166
