Biden Condemned By Democratic Members of Congress Amid U.S. Bombing of Yemen: ‘Have NOT Been Authorized By Congress’

Several Democratic members of Congress put President Joe Biden on blast, Thursday after Biden failed to seek approval from Congress ahead of the U.S. military bombing campaign in Yemen.

Following reports that the U.S. and U.K. had carried out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, several Democratic representatives condemned Biden’s decision.

“The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict,” protested Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), who has been no stranger in the past to criticizing Democratic leadership. “That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.”

Rep. Val Hoyle (D-OR) tweeted, “These airstrikes have NOT been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Rep.

Mark Pocan (D-WI) also called out Biden, calling the airstrikes “an unacceptable violation of the Constitution” and warning that the United States “cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization.”

The House Democrats were joined by Rep. Mike Lee (R-UT), one of the few Republicans to issue a statement against the airstrikes.

“I totally agree with @RoKhanna. The Constitution matters, regardless of party affiliation,” he wrote.