Why Tim Kaine is pursuing a war powers resolution – again

Summary

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Consider This from NPR

Episode: Why Tim Kaine is pursuing a war powers resolution – again

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Ailsa Chang
Guest: Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat, Virginia)
Other voices: President Donald Trump, John Bolton

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on renewed efforts in Congress—specifically Senator Tim Kaine’s—to pass a war powers resolution that would require the President to seek congressional approval before launching military action against Iran. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions, diplomatic talks in Geneva, and concerns about presidential overreach, the conversation probes constitutional war-making authority, recent military and diplomatic developments with Iran, and debates among lawmakers themselves about the balance between executive flexibility and congressional oversight.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Escalating U.S.-Iran Tensions and the Role of Congress

• Third round of nuclear talks takes place in Geneva, with a resolution “that could end in a deal or with violence.” (00:00)
• President Trump’s stance: Insists on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon; prefers diplomacy but does not rule out military force.
  • Trump: “One thing is certain. I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.” (00:21)
• Former National Security Adviser John Bolton notes Trump’s ambiguity regarding military objectives and criticizes his approach as “typical.”
  • Bolton: “I don't think Trump has necessarily made up his mind either what his objective is in a possible use of military force or what the quantum of that force would be.” (01:09)
• Members of Congress, like Tim Kaine, are pushing for war powers resolutions to restrict unilateral military action. (01:20, 03:09)

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2. The War Powers Resolution: The Why and the When

• Senator Tim Kaine explains the push for a new Senate vote to reassert Congress’s authority per the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 11). (03:09)
• Kaine:
  • “It will happen early next week...being negotiated, but it will be in the first couple of days of next week when we're back in session Monday.” (03:58)

Why Try Again Now?

• Despite past failures, Kaine insists that votes—even unsuccessful ones—can restrain the President by raising public attention and changing executive behavior:
  • Kaine: “Whether they succeed or fail, we shouldn’t be at war without a vote. ... Forcing a vote and a debate ... brings it more to the public’s attention, where the public can decide whether a mission’s in the national interest and it can even change the behavior of the administration.” (04:22)

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3. Internal Democratic Debate & Executive Flexibility

• Some Democrats (like Rep. Josh Gottheimer) oppose the resolution, arguing it could “restrict flexibility needed to respond to real and evolving threats and risks, signaling weakness at a dangerous moment.” (05:18)
• Kaine rebuts, arguing that current intelligence does not justify unchecked presidential action:
  • Kaine: “I hear nothing whatsoever about any risks right now that Iran poses [to] the United States that are at a sufficient level that we should allow a president to take our sons and daughters into war without a debate by Congress.” (05:42)

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4. Scrutiny of the Administration’s Claims on Iran

• Kaine challenges the Trump administration’s claims about new Iranian nuclear and missile threats:
  • Details U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, and notes sudden reversals in rhetoric.
  • Kaine:
    • “President Trump...used US assets to bomb Iranian nuclear sites and claimed that the Iranian nuclear program was obliterated. That was just six months ago. So now all of a sudden, their nuclear program poses such a threat that we can't even have a debate and vote in Congress? It makes no sense.” (06:20)
  • On Iran’s missiles: The U.S. has overwhelming military superiority, and any direct Iranian attack “would be a catastrophe for them.” (06:50)

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5. The Case Against New Military Action

• Kaine argues for a limited U.S. role:
  • Defense support to regional allies is justified, but another direct war in the Middle East is not.
  • Kaine: “We shouldn't commit our own children to yet another war in the Middle East when 25 years of war...has produced so little for this country and so little for the region." (07:35)

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6. Would War Powers Resolutions Weaken U.S. Diplomacy?

• Concern: Limiting the President’s war powers could undermine U.S. negotiating leverage in Geneva.
• Kaine’s response:
  • Wars should not be threatened as a bluff in diplomacy; the real leverage comes from sanctions and multilateral diplomatic pressure, not military threats.
  • Kaine: "If it's a bad idea, I don't think you should bluff it to try to...get the upper hand in a negotiation. ... Let's do all we can to do what we did 10 years ago and find a diplomatic deal to avoid the need for war." (08:05)

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7. Kaine’s Preferred Path Forward

• Advocates for a return to diplomatic and economic tools, especially sanctions:
  • Kaine:
    • “The sanctions tools and others have made a huge impact on the regime. ... [In 2016] the regime came to the table and negotiated the nuclear deal not because of the threat of war. What was real was the sanctions effect on the Iranian economy that brought them to the table.” (08:54)
  • Pushes for a nuclear deal plus targeted sanctions on other destabilizing Iranian activities (missiles, human rights, etc.)

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump:

  • “One thing is certain. I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can’t let that happen.” (00:21)

• John Bolton:

  • “I don't think Trump has necessarily made up his mind either what his objective is in a possible use of military force or what the quantum of that force would be.” (01:09)

• Sen. Tim Kaine:

  • “Forcing a vote and a debate on these matters brings it more to the public's attention...it can even change the behavior of the administration.” (04:22)
  • “I hear nothing whatsoever about any risks right now that Iran poses...at a sufficient level that we should allow a president to take our sons and daughters into war without a debate by Congress.” (05:42)
  • “We shouldn't commit our own children to yet another war in the Middle East when 25 years of war in the Middle East has produced so little for this country and so little for the region.” (07:35)
  • “Let's get a deal on the nuclear program and then use these other tools that we have to try to deal with non nuclear activities that are causing instability in the region.” (08:54)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Setting the scene: Renewed U.S.-Iran tensions
• 00:10–00:35 – President Trump’s statements on Iran
• 00:35–01:20 – John Bolton on Trump’s approach and war deliberation
• 03:09 – Kaine on the constitutional grounds for war powers
• 03:53–04:22 – Kaine on timing and impact of the war powers vote
• 04:22–05:18 – Kaine on accountability and changes in presidential behavior
• 05:18–05:42 – Gottheimer’s opposition and Kaine’s counterargument
• 06:02–07:17 – Kaine scrutinizes president’s evidence on Iran threat
• 07:35–07:48 – Kaine lays out what U.S. should/not do militarily
• 08:05–08:37 – Kaine on congressional debate as leverage in diplomacy
• 08:54 – Kaine’s vision for future U.S. policy toward Iran

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Conclusion

In this concise episode, Senator Tim Kaine makes an assertive case for restoring congressional authority over U.S. military interventions, describes the lessons learned from previous war powers resolutions, and argues that robust debate—not executive fiat—is the only legitimate path to war under the Constitution. Kaine’s vision emphasizes diplomacy, sanctions, and regional support over renewed direct conflict. The episode offers a timely window into divided opinions, both between and within parties, about war powers at a critical moment in U.S.-Iran relations.

Transcript

[Ailsa Chang]

So could the third time be the charm? The United States and Iran are in Geneva for, yes, a third round of nuclear talks which could end in a deal or with violence.

[President Donald Trump]

They want to make a deal, but we haven't heard those secret words. We will never have a nuclear weapon.

[Ailsa Chang]

That's President Trump during Tuesday's State of the Union address.

[President Donald Trump]

My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy, but one thing is certain. I will never allow the world's number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon. Can't let that happen.

[John Bolton]

I mean, I'm totally in favor of regime change, but I think you can't just announce it in one speech and then expect that everybody will line up behind you. I think this is a political mistake he may be about to make, but it's typical of the way he proceeds.

[Ailsa Chang]

This is John Bolton, who is now a vocal critic of President Trump. He once served as national security adviser during Trump's first term. He's also a former UN Ambassador and he told NPR that he didn't think Trump made a case for war to the American people because he thinks Trump is not even sure he wants war.

[John Bolton]

I don't think Trump has necessarily made up his mind either what his objective is in a possible use of military force or what the quantum of that force would be.

[Ailsa Chang]

Meanwhile, not everyone in Congress is okay with the idea that President Trump could proceed with military action against Iran without first seeking the sign off of lawmakers. Consider this. Members of Congress have filed war powers resolutions in both the House and Senate to restrict President Trump from attacking Iran without congressional approval. We speak with one of the lawmakers pushing the resolutions, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. From NPR, I'm Ailsa Chang.

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[Ailsa Chang]

It's consider this from NPR. It's an Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11, where the US Constitution empowers Congress, not the president, to declare war. Of course, anyone versed in recent US History will know that US Presidents have authorized plenty of military action without Congress first signing off. One timely example, last year the US Struck three nuclear sites in Iran, joining Israel in its fight against the country. Right now, the US has massively built up military forces in the Middle east, and this week it's conducting diplomatic talks with Iran. Members of Congress are trying to prevent President Trump from acting without congressional approval. And one of them is Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. Welcome back, Elsa.

[Senator Tim Kaine]

Great to be with you. Thanks.

[Ailsa Chang]

Great to have you. So when do you expect to vote on this resolution, Elsa?

[Senator Tim Kaine]

It will happen early next week, even as I sit here talking to you. It's being negotiated, but it will be in the first couple of days of next week when we're back in session Monday.

[Ailsa Chang]

Okay. But I have to ask because previous votes on war powers resolutions like over Venezuela, over last year's strikes on Iran, they have failed. Almost all Republicans have voted against them. So why does this moment feel any different to you?

[Senator Tim Kaine]

Well, first, whether they succeed or fail, we shouldn't be at war without a vote. And so members of Congress should be held accountable. Secondly, we learn, and particularly in the Venezuela vote in the Senate, we actually got enough votes, Democrat, plus some Republicans initially, and then a few Republicans got convinced to to change their minds in some subsequent votes. But it changed the president's behavior after the first vote. Within a few hours, he canceled a second strike on Venezuela. And he also agreed finally to have a public hearing to send Secretary Rubio up to discuss what, in fact was the mission, what were the goals, what would success look like? And so I very much learned from that effort, even though we ultimately were not successful, that forcing a vote and a debate on these matters brings it more to the public's attention, where the public can decide whether emission's in the national interest and it can even change the behavior of the administration.

[Ailsa Chang]

But I want to share a statement from a fellow Democrat. This is Congressman Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, who's opposed to an equivalent war powers resolution in the House. And he writes, quote, this resolution would restrict the flexibility needed to respond to real and evolving threats and risks, signaling weakness at a dangerous moment. What do you say to your colleague there about that I'm on the Armed

[Senator Tim Kaine]

Services Committee in the Foreign Relations Committee, and I'm in the classified facility all the time hearing about risks. And I hear nothing whatsoever about any risks right now that Iran poses the United States that are at a sufficient level that we should allow a president to take our sons and daughters into war without a debate by Congress.

[Ailsa Chang]

Well, during the State of the Union address, President Trump said that Iran is developing missiles that may soon be able to reach the US and that Iran is restarting its nuclear program. How much has the Trump administration shared evidence of those claims with lawmakers like you?

[Senator Tim Kaine]

Well, let's take both. So how about the nuclear program first? We had controlled Iran's nuclear program by a diplomatic deal that we entered into with our allies with adversaries like China and Russia and Iran. President Trump tore up the deal. President Trump, after a 12 day bombing campaign by Israel over the summer, used US assets to bomb Iranian nuclear sites and claimed that the Iranian nuclear program was obliterated. That was just six months ago. So now all of a sudden, their nuclear program poses such a threat that we can't even have a debate and vote in Congress. It makes no sense with respect to the missiles they are developing, missiles which they may use at some time against the United States. There's so many hypotheticals in. And the overmatch we have is such that Iran knows this. If they were to use a missile against the United States, which they haven't, it would be a catastrophe for them.

[Ailsa Chang]

Okay, but given what you know now about the situation in Iran and whatever threat they do or might pose to the US Militarily, what would you want to see the US Military do at this point? Is there anything justifiable in your mind right now?

[Senator Tim Kaine]

I would say provide defense support to nations in the region, but we shouldn't commit our own children to yet another war in the Middle east when 25 years of war in the Middle east has produced so little for this country and so little for the region.

[Ailsa Chang]

Okay, as we mentioned, there is a US Delegation in Geneva right now in talks with Iran. What about concerns that this debate in Congress about limiting presidential power, what about concerns that that might reduce the U.S. s leverage in those diplomatic talks? Could they?

[Senator Tim Kaine]

Well, you know, a war is a good idea or a bad idea. And if it's a bad idea, I don't think you should bluff it to try to, you know, get the upper hand in a negotiation. It's a bad idea in this case, in my view. That. But, but the fact of the discussions even today is one of the reasons why, even though my resolution was ripe for voting this week, we decided to a few days out in the future, likely next week, would be preferable. Let, let that negotiation proceed. Let's do all we can to do what we did 10 years ago and find a diplomatic deal to avoid the need for war.

[Ailsa Chang]

You oppose the Trump administration's claiming of powers that you believe belong to Congress constitutionally. You also oppose war, war with Iran and the repression by the regime in Iran. So then what is your larger preferred path forward here when it comes to the the regime there?

[Senator Tim Kaine]

Well, look, I do think the tools that we have, the sanctions tools and others, have made a huge impact on the regime. And it's put the regime in a place. As was the case in 2016, the regime came to the table and negotiated the nuclear deal not because of the threat of war. What was real was the sanctions effect on the Iranian economy that brought them to the table. We reached that deal. But then we also maintain the ability to use sanctions against Iran for non nuclear activity missiles, you know, crackdowns on human rights. So I think we should try to return to that. Let's get a deal on the nuclear program and then use these other tools that we have to try to deal with non nuclear activities that are causing instability in the region.

[Ailsa Chang]

That was Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia. This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Hanse and Karen Zamora with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Patrick Jaran Watananen and Courtney. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Ailsa Chang.

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