“I still have to be convinced that any president has the authority to retaliate, especially outside of Iraq,” Murphy said, noting that previous authority, although outdated, still allows the use of force in Iraq.
“I have not heard anything today that convinces me that there is a justification for me to apply to any administration,” Murphy added.
According to a separate reading of the briefing provided to POLITICO, assistants thought the Biden administration’s answers to their questions were “unsatisfactory” and that “there was not a whole lot of substance.”
While Biden’s team predicted greater cooperation with Congress than the Trump administration showed, the follow-up missed the point. And the Democrats have made it clear that they are not willing to give Biden a pass just because of partisan loyalty.
Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations (DN.J.), said the government in Biden should plan another briefing for the senators sitting on its panel, adding that he continues to pursue one beywer. From Wednesday, however, the Senate will begin a marathon session to pass Biden’s coronavirus relief plan, which is expected to take the rest of the week to complete.
“It’s a little weird that you have a staff composition, but not a staff member in the wake of something important and serious,” Murphy said.
Senators from both parties expressed their frustration that they had not been given sufficient notice of the strikes and that Biden had ordered them without first seeking congressional approval.
“I learned on the news about it. I’m on the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. I do not think I should have learned so much about it, “said Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Who has long been pushing to contain presidential forces.
Kaine added that because Biden served as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, “he more than most – more than just anyone – needs to understand that the one-branch article should play a role here.”
Biden told congressional leaders that he had ordered the Syria strikes in “self-defense” after military groups backed by Iran attacked U.S. forces in recent weeks. Republican hawks like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have said they support Biden’s decision, underscoring the blurring of biased lines on the issue of presidential forces.