This page contains bill sponsorships in the Senate and House. Bill sponsorships indicate the topics that legislators are most interested in, and spend the most time on.

2007-SR356 on Oct 25, 2007

RESOLUTION Affirming that any offensive military action taken against Iran must be explicitly approved by Congress.
• WHEREAS article I, section 8, of the Constitution of the United States vests in Congress all power to declare war:
• NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That any offensive military action taken by the United States against Iran must be explicitly approved by Congress before such action may be initiated.
Sen. DURBIN. "We are now more than halfway through our fifth year in this war in Iraq. We find ourselves stuck as an occupier in a Middle East civil war. Thousands of our sons & daughters have been killed or injured. The total financial cost may be well over $1 trillion--money, I might add, that this administration has borrowed against our children's future.

"America's reputation internationally has been severely damaged and critical military, diplomatic, and intelligence resources have been diverted from the war in Afghanistan--a war I supported, and a country this administration has increasingly neglected. And now, after so many errors, so many lives, and so much damage, this administration is again raising the prospect of yet another war in the Middle East--this time a war with Iran.

"I fear this administration has learned nothing from the colossal error, colossal misjudgment in the invasion of Iraq. Let me be clear: I am gravely concerned about Iran's activities in the region and its nuclear agenda. But any offensive action against Iran must be approved by Congress.

"Recent statements by this administration give me concern that this administration is considering just this--an offensive military action against Iran without the consent of Congress. Both Pres. Bush and Vice Pres. Cheney have made public remarks about Iran that suggest an administration readying for military aggression. We know Cheney's historic views on fundamental checks and balances in our constitution. They are disturbing."

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Participating counts on VoteMatch question 17. Question 17: Stay out of Iran Scores: -2=Strongly oppose; -1=Oppose; 0=neutral; 1=Support; 2=Strongly support.
• Topic: War & Peace
• Headline: Require Congress' approval before military action in Iran (Score: 1)
  
  
• Key for participation codes:
• Sponsorships: p=sponsored; o=co-sponsored; s=signed
• Memberships: c=chair; m=member; e=endorsed; f=profiled; s=scored
• Resolutions: i=introduced; w=wrote; a=adopted
• Cases: w=wrote; j=joined; d=dissented; c=concurred
• Surveys: '+' supports; '-' opposes.




Democrats participating in 2007-SR356
Daniel Akaka	s1o	HI Democratic Jr Senator (Retiring)
Jeff Bingaman	s1o	NM Democratic Sr Senator (Retiring)
Sherrod Brown	s1o	OH Democratic Sr Senator
Robert Byrd	s1o	WV Former Democratic Senator
Hillary Clinton	s1o	NY Former Democratic Senator (NY); now Secretary of State
Chris Dodd	s1o	CT Democratic Sr Senator (retiring 2010)
Byron Dorgan	s1o	ND Democratic Jr Senator (retiring 2010)
Richard Durbin	s1p	IL Democratic Sr Senator
Dianne Feinstein	s1o	CA Democratic Sr Senator
Tim Johnson	s1o	SD Democratic Sr Senator (retiring 2014)
Patty Murray	s1o	WA Democratic Sr Senator
Debbie Stabenow	s1o	MI Democratic Jr Senator
Sheldon Whitehouse	s1o	RI Democratic Jr Senator, previously attorney general





Republicans participating in 2007-SR356





Independents participating in 2007-SR356
Bernie Sanders	s1o	Vermont Independent





Total recorded by OnTheIssues:

Democrats: 13 Republicans: 0 Independents: 1