'Unconstitutional': Democrats Fume Over Biden's Yemen Airstrikes Launched Without US Congress Nod

Several high-profile Democrats, including Indian American lawmaker Ro Khanna, berated US President Joe Biden on Thursday for launching airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen without congressional approval, arguing that the action was unconstitutional and could lead to a wider Middle East conflict.

“The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another middle east conflict,” Rep. Ro Khanna wrote on X. “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.”

“Section 2C of the War Powers Act is clear: POTUS may only introduce the US into hostilities after Congressional authorization or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack,” the California Democrat said. “Reporting is not a substitute. This is a retaliatory, offensive strike.”

Backing Khanna, Representative Val Hoyle argued that these airstrikes have not been authorised 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,” Hoyle wrote on X.

“The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization. The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen,” said Wisconsin Democrat Mark Pocan. GOP lawmaker Nancy Mace also chimed in and said, “This is where we should put party aside and stand for the oath we all took: Congress alone decides if we go to war. I join my colleagues on both sides insisting we follow the Constitution.”

Thursday’s airstrikes on Houthi rebels in response to their attacks on Red Sea shipping pulled the world’s focus back on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The strikes killed at least five people and wounded six, and threatened to ignite a regional conflict, which the Biden administration and its allies have been trying to calm for weeks.

‘Heavy price’

Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, acknowledged “a massive aggressive attack by American and British ships, submarines and warplanes.” “America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression,” al-Ezzi wrote online.

Since the attacks began in November, however, the Houthis have begun targeting vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade. The Red Sea route is also crucial for energy shipments. According to The Associated Press, Benchmark Brent crude traded up some 2.5% Friday at over $79 a barrel.

(With agency inputs)