Washington:Four US senators aligned with the Democratic party have declared their opposition to a year-end spending agreement that does not restrict President Donald Trump's authority to continue military actions against Iran.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, Senators Michael Bennet, Bernie Sanders, Chris Van Hollen, and Tammy Duckworth issued a statement expressing their stance. They emphasized that the American public has voiced the need to end what they describe as President Trump's illegal and detrimental war with Iran.
The senators highlighted the adverse impacts of the conflict, noting increased costs for gas, groceries, and fertilizer. They reported that over 20 American service members have lost their lives, and hundreds have been injured, without achieving any of President Trump's stated objectives while causing civilian harm throughout the region.
With the funding deadline approaching on December 11, the senators stressed that Congress should reject any short-term spending deal that allocates additional billions for what they term as Trump's "war of choice." They insist that any financial package must explicitly prevent the administration from utilizing appropriated funds to continue the conflict.
Drawing parallels with Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the senators warned that wars can take decades to conclude, negatively impacting the economy, depleting military resources, and compromising American safety. They asserted their intention to block funds for the war when voting on appropriations.
The statement followed a letter from Senator Bennet urging his colleagues in the Senate to oppose any funding package that includes further appropriations for the war.
In a separate development, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to urge Senate leaders to expedite a $350 billion reconciliation bill aimed at military funding. He claimed credit for rebuilding the military during his first term and expressed intentions to continue doing so. Trump criticized the "Radical Democrat Majority" in the upcoming Congress for prioritizing the blocking of military investments, asserting that Democrats aim to leave troops weak and unprotected. He called on Republicans to support military personnel, stating, "The time is now."