Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01) fired another shot over the bow President Donald Trumpjoining three other Republicans who voted for House of Representatives Resolution on War Powers this requires an end to hostilities with Iran.
The vote passed by a margin of 215 to 208 Representatives Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) i Tomasz Masie (Ky.), joining Fitzpatrick and all Democrats in supporting the resolution. Directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless specifically authorized by a declaration of war or authorization by Congress to exploit military force against Iran.
Fitzpatrick said his vote was more about upholding the law than correcting the president.
“When it comes to the conflict in Iran, these two statements of fact remain: 1) the world is a safer place after the degradation of Iran’s nuclear capabilities and; 2) We are a nation of laws and three independent, equal governments. We must protect the world, and we must also obey the law.” Fitzpatrick said in a statement.
Fitzpatrick said the Armed Services Act of 1973 states that any conflict exceeding 60 days must be reported to Congress. “Today was the second war powers resolution brought to the House of Representatives after the expiration of this 60-day clock,” he said.
“The law as it stands requires that the matter be brought before Congress now. That’s why I voted for today’s resolution. We must follow the law,” Fitzpatrick said.
“I had previously written and introduced my own war powers resolution that would be consistent with the Armed Services Act of 1973 and which would also encourage rather than discourage a ceasefire by extending the 60-day clock to allow for negotiations. Until my resolution is adopted by Congress or until the United States Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the Armed Services Act of 1973, we must follow the law as it currently stands. sounding sound,” he said.
Trump responded on social media, calling the quartet of GOP officials “evil” and “spectacles” and that they “should be ashamed of themselves.”
The vote isn’t the Bucks County Republican’s only action against Trump this week. Fitzpatrick said he plans to force a vote in the House of Representatives on a bill to block the Trump administration’s so-called anti-gun fund, despite the Justice Department’s decision to temporarily withdraw the proposal.
Fitzpatrick, who co-wrote the recipes with Representative Tom Suozzi (D.N.Y.) stated that more than just statements from the Department of Justice are needed.
“We need both a legal route and a statutory legislative route here. That’s what Tom and I have put in place and that’s what we’re going to push to the floor,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick and Suozzi are considering filing a discharge motion to force a vote on the bill. The petition would require 218 signatures to succeed, meaning some Republicans would have to defy the party’s leadership and join Democrats in supporting the effort.
“I just think it’s a gross abuse of discretion and that’s what it’s all about,” Fitzpatrick said, referring to the fund. “So, as you know, we will stop this case and prevent things like this from happening in the future… half of this country is living paycheck to paycheck. People are struggling to meet the most basic needs to run their households, and when we focus on these infrastructure projects and slush funds, this is not how we should be managing. This is not a wise use of taxpayers’ money, and that’s why I’m asking all of my colleagues to step up and join us in this fight.”
Fitzpatrick faces a challenge from Democrats Bob Harvie in his bid for a sixth term as representative of Washington’s 1st Congressional District.
