Divided Republicans struggle to formulate post-Iran deal policy
While some GOP leaders cautioned President Donald Trump against withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, others praised the move and pushed for new sanctions — and even a war authorization.
President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal after minimal consultation with lawmakers has made it difficult for his own party to coalesce around a legislative strategy moving forward.
Some high-profile House Republicans made clear today that they think the White House has left the United States isolated by unilaterally withdrawing from the agreement. Others took a more hawkish line advocating for new sanctions — and even a new war authorization to counter Iran and its proxies throughout the Middle East.
“We’re seeing a new enemy that’s more [Shiite]-based than Sunni,” said House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who called on Congress to pass an authorization for the use of military force against Iran and its Shiite proxy forces throughout the region.
“It’s not al-Qaeda or [the Islamic State] now,” McCaul told Al-Monitor. “It’s a … threat from Iran and they’ve extended into Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen. So that’s just one of the options or tools that Congress may have.”
