Watan-Many American lawmakers strongly criticized the American and British airstrikes on Yemen, stating that the strikes are illegal and violate the U.S. Constitution.

The United States and the United Kingdom conducted a series of airstrikes on multiple locations in Yemen on Thursday, targeting the Houthi group. They claimed to have hit radar systems, air defense systems, storage sites, and launch sites.

Several cities across the war-torn country, including the capital Sanaa, the western coastal city of Hodeidah, the Houthi stronghold in Saada, and the southwestern city of Dhamaar, were subjected to bombardment.

Constitutional Violation

The airstrikes were immediately condemned by progressive lawmakers who argued that the airstrikes violated the Constitution because President Joe Biden did not seek congressional approval, according to the Middle East Eye.

Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member of the U.S. Congress, stated on her Twitter account that Biden violated Article I of the Constitution by launching airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval. She added, “The American people are tired of endless wars.”

Congresswoman Cori Bush also remarked that the Constitution prohibits Biden from conducting airstrikes without congressional approval. She said, “People don’t want more of our tax dollars going to endless war and killing civilians. Stop the bombing and act better on our behalf.”

The Constitution’s Position

Article I of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war. Despite Congress holding this power, many previous presidents have often conducted military strikes in the Middle East without obtaining legislative approval.

Instead, they relied on various other laws, such as the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMFs). The swift condemnation from lawmakers echoed in immediate protests in Washington and New York.

Protesters were seen outside the White House on Thursday chanting “Let Yemen live” and “Hands off Yemen.”

“Congress Refuses to Assert its Authority”

The United States and the United Kingdom, which carried out the strikes in coordination with a coalition including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, stated that the strikes were conducted in self-defense and in response to the Houthi group’s targeting of shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

The Houthis claim to target ships associated with Israel passing through the Red Sea, a vital shipping route, in protest against the Israeli war on Gaza.

Beyond progressive Democrats, other lawmakers joined the opposition to the airstrikes, including Democrat Ro Khanna and Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, as well as Republican Senator Rand Paul.

Many lawmakers who previously opposed the strikes have signed legislation seeking to end procedures that grant the president broad authority to wage war abroad, including during Donald Trump’s administration when legislators issued a resolution specifically addressing war powers concerning Yemen.

Massie stated, “The United States has been involved in hostilities in Yemen, in one form or another, for over 5 years. The sad truth is that Congress often refuses to assert its authority.”