On the evening of June 3, the legislative chambers of the US House of Representatives, normally a relatively reserved buzz of activity, began by maintaining the Ukraine war machine and ended with an eruption into what became a fierce display of political disagreement, partisan strife and personal insult.
The House began with consideration of three different House Resolutions related to foreign policy regarding Ukraine, Iran and Lebanon.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) offered Resolution 518 in support of the Ukraine Support Act to authorize HR 2913 which would provide additional $8 billion in support for Ukraine for a total US contribution over $200 billion.
With no real debate, the vote was 218 — 204 which would provide additional military, economic and reconstruction support for Ukraine while increasing sanctions on Russia. Six Republicans voted Aye (Reps. Bacon, Fitzpatrick, Kiley (Cal.), Miller (Ohio), Lawler, Wilson (SC) with seven Republicans Not Voting. (Reps. Johnson (SD), Kean, Rep. Nancy Mace, Luttrell, Norman, Ogles, Turner (Ohio).
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Moving on and originally expected to be the Star of the Day was Rep. Greg Meeks (D -NY) resolution HR 86 “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.”
The final vote adopted the Resolution was 215-208 with four Republicans voting affirmatively (Rep. Tom Barrett (Michigan), Rep. Warren Davidson (Ohio), Rep. Tom Massie (Ky) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa)) in support of War Powers. The same previous six Republican members were Not Voting.
Rep. Barrett stressed that “Congress has the exclusive authority under the Constitution to declare war and authorize use of military force” with Rep. Tom Massie (Ky) adding that “The House is sending a message. End this war.”
Immediately after the vote, President Trump, no longer claiming to be a Peace President, called out the four who voted in favor of War Powers as “bad Republicans’ and “Grandstanders’. Trump insisted that “It’s never been sought before, there’s been numerous, many, many times and nobody’s ever gotten it before, they consider it totally unconstitutional,” including “why should we be different?” Trump has never explained who ‘they’ are and has never explained why he believes War Powers to be unconstitutional.
While the kinetic war is in a ceasefire, the US continues to block Iran tankers and commercial vehicles from the SOH in an attempt to pressure Iran into agreeing to Trump’s demands although the Strait is not considered international waters as the 23 mile Strait connects the Gulf of Oman with its half in the Persian Gulf. Contrary to Trump’s allegation, the US has no legal authority over the Straits.
In an earlier voter in the Senate, four Republican Senators joined Democrats for a 50=47 approval of the War Powers Act to halt the war in Iran. Senate sponsor, Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.) promised he would “continue to push my colleagues when the War Powers Resolution comes up for its next vote.”
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In the final hours of the House session, Rep. Brian Mast (Fl) offered consideration of Resolution HR 84 to the War Powers Act which was sponsored by Rep. Rashiba Tlaib (D-Mi) “Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from Lebanon.”
Tlaib, the only Palestinian Member of Congress, acknowledged the widespread suffering in Lebanon has included 1.2 million citizens forced out of their homes and being told by Israeli they would never return with direct specific displacement of areas south of the Letani River. Thirty four hundred people have been massacred indiscriminately with entire neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure being targeted in flagrant violation of the War Powers Act.
Tlaib cited President Trump’s own public statements over a period of months ‘green lighting’ of the May 6 attack on Beirut in coordination with Israel officials as she requested Congress to assert its Constitutional authority. “This Congress did not support strikes by US that are illegal under US and international law.”
The current invasion of Lebanon is the result of decades of an illegal invasion from Israel which has presented a horrific threat to historic and ancient villages like the city of Tyre which date back to antiquity and where Jesus Christ and some of his Disciples walked and taught Christian principles have been specifically targeted for destruction.
More current Israel attacks have contained use of white phosphorus and focused on Christian statues, journalists, medics, ancient churches, monuments, hospitals, schools and mosques as the war with Hezbollah is a continuation of the Gaza genocide.
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Tlaib was joined by Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill), Rep Jim McGovern (Mass) and Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa), Rep. Ilan Omar (Minn), Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM) all spoke of US complicit role adding that the US is not a bystander in Lebanon but an active participant in an illegal, unauthorized attack on Lebanon.
In opposition to Tlaib’s Resolution, Mast repeatedly attempted to distract the debate citing Hezbollah as terrorists rather than acknowledge Israel’s presence in Lebanon as an “invasion” and not just a coincidental tourist visits to Lebanon.
GOP defense of Israel in Lebanon focused on Hezbollah as Israel has a history of Lebanon invasion to destroy entire towns as if Israel was in Lebanon to protect its citizens from Hezbollah presence rather than Hezbollah protecting citizens of Lebanon.
Mast accused Tlaib’s resolution “it’s reckless and unserious” while other defenders of Israel were only able to attack Hezbollah as ‘terrorists’ yet unable to explain Israel’s presence in Lebanon without acknowledging an invasion.
While in opposition, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fl) who has deep Zionist roots while Tlaib and Resolution HR 84 co sponsor, Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill), Rep. Ilan Omar (Minn) and Rep. Summer Lee all accept no AIPAC funds.
Speaking on behalf of Israel in Lebanon, Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) referred to Iranians as ‘bloodthirsty terrorists” referring to Hezbollah as ‘butchers’ and then “Let us be clear: Hezbollah is a terrorist and the woman from Michigan and its members are butchers you like to hang out with, you advocate for terrorism on a daily basis and you do associate yourself with them.”
Rep Tlaib immediately cited Miller for violating House rules re inappropriate language. After the Chair had Miller’s words read aloud, the words were removed from the Congressional Record, barring him from any further Floor participation that day.
Rep. Mast then delivered a message from Miller for the record “yes I said it and I stand by it.” Mast followed up, in discussion with the Chair, reading the title of articles alleging Tlaib’s “ties” to Hezbollah with “objections” to every title.
The debate continued with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass), ranking member of the Rules Committee, to speak in support of the Resolution:
What just unfolded in this House makes me sad for this institution. It is never ok to attack the character or integrity of another Member, we need to uphold the decorum and the decency of this Chamber. We need to do better. Many of us are here today because Lebanon is suffering a humanitarian crisis. 1.3 million have been displaced across Lebanon with more than two hundred Lebanese children killed. If we don’t stand as a country for basic human rights, then as a country we stand for nothing. We bear some responsibility for this suffering. Where is our humanity?
Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fl) spoke in support of 241 Marines killed in a bombing in Lebanon in 1983 citing that the War Power Resolution is a ‘disgrace’
Rep. Keith Self (Texas) suggested that the debate on Lebanon was little more than an “anti-Israel screed” adding the assertion the US and Israel are doing the UN’s job. Rep. Self seems unaware of the violence committed by the IDF to Palestinian children.
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In conclusion, a voice vote was held with Tlaib requesting the ayes-nays which were sufficient for a full House vote; the Chair immediately announced a postponement on the final vote and closed the day’s House calendar.