A group of lawmakers sent a letter to President BidenJoe BidenUS ambassador to UN calls Putin’s peacekeeping forces ‘nonsense’ US relocates Ukraine embassy staff to Poland UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting at request of Ukraine MORE on Tuesday amid escalating tensions in Ukraine to remind him that he must seek authorization from Congress before sending in troops or launching military attacks.
The bipartisan group of 43 lawmakers acknowledged that Biden previously said he would not send troops into Ukraine but noted the decision could change.
“If the ongoing situation compels you to introduce the brave men and women of our military into Ukraine, their lives would inherently be put at risk of Russia chooses to invade,” the letter reads. “Therefore, we ask that your decisions comport with the Constitution and our nation’s laws by consulting with Congress to receive authorization before any such development.”
The letter was signed by Reps. Nancy Mace
Nancy MaceFormer Trump chief of staff endorses Nancy Mace The Hill’s Morning Report – Ukraine, the West await Russian attack Mace: I’m going to win without Trump MORE (R-S.C.), Pramila Jayapal
Pramila JayapalOvernight Health Care — Biden urges action on drug pricing The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – More blue states let mask mandates expire Frustrated Democrats amp up pressure on Biden over global vaccinations MORE (D-Wash.), Ilhan Omar
Ilhan OmarBlack women lawmakers commend Biden on commitment for Supreme Court nominee Congressional Black Caucus members press DOJ on voting rights: ‘No lawsuit is too trivial’ Omar seeking third term in Congress MORE (D-Minn.), Matt Gaetz
Matthew (Matt) GaetzFive questions ahead of Trump’s social media launch Lou Dobbs says he would be excited for Jim Jordan as House speaker, calls McCarthy a ‘RINO’ CPAC’s straw poll is the first Trump vs. DeSantis primary MORE (R-Fla.) and Warren Davidson
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Rep. Peter DeFazio
Peter Anthony DeFazioHillicon Valley — Presented by Cisco — App store market power bill clears committee Lawmakers blast federal agencies over 5G standoff Top Democrats call on AT&T and Verizon to delay 5G rollouts near airports MORE (D-Ore.) shared the letter on Twitter, writing that Biden should “follow the Constitution and the law.”
“The American people deserve to have a say before we become involved in yet another foreign conflict,” DeFazio wrote.
The letter comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Russia. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich PutinZelensky rules out ceding territory to Russia in late-night address to Ukraine US ambassador to UN calls Putin’s peacekeeping forces ‘nonsense’ US relocates Ukraine embassy staff to Poland MORE recognized two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic, before ordering troops into the Donbas region, sparking fears of a larger invasion and conflict in Europe.
Biden on Tuesday announced additional sanctions against Russia but said he believes Putin’s advancement into Ukraine could be the beginning of a larger-scale invasion to seize more territory.
Biden has so far resisted sending troops into Ukraine, announcing he was moving U.S. soldiers into other NATO countries, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. And earlier this month, Biden moved 160 U.S. troops out of Ukraine.
Lawmakers wrote in the Tuesday letter that the War Powers Resolution of 1973 has been abused by previous presidents, but they noted that the act restricted Biden from not only engaging troops in battle but also launching a “pre-emptive strike.”
“Congress stands ready to deliberate over the potentially monumental implications of such scenarios,” lawmakers said.
