Republicans, Democrats React to US, UK Strikes Against Houthis in Yemen

Missile strikes are a response to a series of drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea

An RAF Typhoon aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition from RAF Akrotiri to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, in Cyprus, in this handout picture released on Jan. 12, 2024. UK MOD/Handout via Reuters

Members of Congress have responded to a series of strikes conducted by U.S. and UK military forces on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen on Jan. 11, with some lawmakers declaring them “unconstitutional.”

President Joe Biden ordered Thursday’s strikes in response to a series of drone and missile attacks by the Houthis. The attacks targeted U.S. and international commercial ships in the southern Red Sea’s international waters, a vital route for shipping and energy supply transfers.

More than 50 nations have been affected by 27 attacks on international commercial shipping, according to the White House.

President Biden said the successful strikes on Yemen were conducted with support from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain.

They were conducted against “a number of targets in Yemen used by Houthi rebels to endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways,” the president said in a statement released by the White House.

He added that he will “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”

Republicans and Democrats had mixed responses to the strikes, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) claiming they violated the U.S. Constitution.

“@POTUS is violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval,” Ms. Tlaib wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “The American people are tired of endless war.”

However, an ‘added context’ box under Ms. Tlaib’s post claims that her statement is incorrect. It states: “While only Congress may formally declare war, under 50 US §1543, the President is authorized to initiate limited military action without prior Congressional approval, provided a report is delivered to Congress within 48 hours of commencing the action.”

‘Retaliatory, Offensive Strike’

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) posted similar views to Ms. Tlaib’s online.

“The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another Middle East conflict,” he 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 U.S. into hostilities after Congressional authorization or in a national emergency when the U.S. is under imminent attack,” he continued. “Reporting is not a substitute. This is a retaliatory, offensive strike.”

An “added context” box also appears under Mr. Khanna’s post stating that the President may initiate limited military action without first gaining approval from Congress, so long as he reports to Congress within 48 hours.

Other Democrats, including Rep. Val Hoyle, (D-Ore.) followed suit in issuing similar remarks while Rep. Barbara Lee, (D-Calif.) and Rep. Mark Pocan, (D-Wisc.) called for a “ceasefire.”

Republican lawmakers were quick to respond too, with Sen. Mike Lee of Utah stating on social media that he agrees with Rep. Khana.

“The Constitution matters, regardless of party affiliation,” he wrote.

Yemen's Houthis takeover of the Galaxy Leader Cargo off Hudaydah in the Red Sea, Yemen, on Nov. 20, 2023. Houthi Movement via Getty Images

‘Only Congress Has the power to declare war’

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican from West Virginia also agreed with the Democratic lawmaker, stating that “Only Congress has the power to declare war.”

Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on the social media platform that President Biden “must come to Congress for permission before going to war” and that the U.S. leader “cannot solely decide to bomb Yemen.”

Other Republicans said they believe the strikes were justified, with Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullen of Oklahoma, saying they were “long overdue.”

“Iran, the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, only understands one thing: strength,” he said. “Today’s show of force against Iranian proxies that threaten American vessels in the Red Sea is long overdue. The sooner this administration embraces peace through strength in foreign policy, the safer we will be.”

Elsewhere, Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine said: “Iran and its proxies” must understand that repeated attacks on U.S. troops and shipping vessels in the Red Sea will not be tolerated.

“The military strikes taken tonight by the Administration in conjunction with coalition partners is an overdue response to Iranian-backed proxies that have targeted U.S. military personnel, bases, and ships more than 120 times since October, resulting in a gravely injured service member,” she said.

The lawmaker stressed the U.S. is not seeking an escalation of violence in the region but must “deter attacks on our troops, and the freedom of navigation that is essential for global trade must be restored.”

Rep. Seth Moulton, (D-Mass.) backed the strikes, saying they were “necessary, responsive, and proportionate,” and “not escalatory.”

“President Biden is right to act,” he said. “The Houthi attacks imperil the global economy and increase the risk of a wider war.  Minimizing the risk of a regional conflict is the utmost priority.”

An aircraft takes off to join the U.S.-led coalition to conduct air strikes against military targets in Yemen, aimed at the Iran-backed Houthi militia that has been targeting international shipping in the Red Sea, from an undisclosed location, in this screengrab from a handout video released on Jan. 12, 2024. U.S. Central Command via X/Handout via Reuters

‘Clear Violation of Yemen’s Sovereignty’

The Houthis, who control most of Yemen, have defied calls from the international community and the United Nations to halt their missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping routes, despite warnings from the U.S. that there would be consequences if they failed to do so.

They claim their attacks are a show of support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by Hamas.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is in hospital due to surgery complications, said in a statement Thursday that the strikes by the U.S. and UK “sends a clear message to the Houthis that they will bear further costs if they do not end their illegal attacks.”

The strikes targeted sites associated with the Houthis’ unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic and cruise missiles, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities, he said.

Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis said in a televised speech on Thursday that any American attack on the group “will not remain without a response.”

“The response will be greater than the attack that was carried out with 20 drones and a number of missiles,” the group’s leader said.

Elsewhere, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kannani said the U.S. and UK strikes are a “clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of international laws.”

“These attacks will only contribute to insecurity and instability in the region,” Mr. Kannani told reporters.

Caden Pearson, Emel Akan, and Reuters contributed to this report.