- Sen. John Curtis is considering forcing a vote on military action in Iran.
- Curtis wants Congress involved, citing Vietnam War lessons and constitutional roles.
- Public opinion is mixed; some Utahns support Trump's actions, others demand congressional approval.
SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said he is closely watching the Trump administration's decisions on Iran as he weighs whether to force a vote on authorizing U.S. military action or give the administration more time to wind down its operations.
In an interview with the Deseret News on Thursday, Curtis said he was engaging in conversations with other senators, as well as the White House, on a path forward — noting there are several options on the table as the country reaches the 60-day mark since the U.S. launched military strikes in the area.
Among those options, he said, is forcing a vote on a formal Authorization for the Use of Military Force against Iran.
"I'm watching the next move of the administration," Curtis said. "There is a scenario where they could define where we are as a withdrawal. We don't have troops on the ground, we are in a ceasefire. That would be something I would look at seriously, if they really could show intent to wind this thing down."
That would buy the administration another month to end its military operations. After that, Curtis said, he would continue looking at other options.
"Us speaking out with the AUMF is on the table," Curtis said. "It's fair to say that there have been a lot of serious discussions between me and some of my colleagues about what that would look like."
Curtis doesn't want a Vietnam repeat
Curtis is one of the few Republicans who has been outspoken about Congress' role in authorizing military action in the area, writing in an op-ed for the Deseret News earlier this month that he would not support "ongoing military action beyond a 60-day window without congressional approval."
That stance, Curtis noted on Thursday, is a personal one. The Utah senator was 13 years old when the draft for the Vietnam War ended in 1973. At that point, Curtis recalled watching several kids in his neighborhood get drafted.
The 19-year conflict was never formally declared a war by Congress. That's a mistake Curtis said Congress should not make again, and it would require the administration and Congress to work hand in hand by executing their individual constitutional authorities.
"We should be working together to do what's in the country's interest, and so any conversations I'm having with personnel from the White House is along the lines of, 'Look, let's both get our constitutional roles right. Let's make sure that we're respectful of each other's constitutional role.'"
Under the War Powers Act, the president is required to notify Congress within 48 hours of launching a military attack, and U.S. forces can only stay in the area for 60 days. The president has the ability to extend that window for another 30 days, but any longer than that would require congressional approval.
Although the war was launched at the end of February, President Donald Trump formally notified Congress of the operation on March 2 — meaning that the 60-day period expires on Friday.
Some Republicans, such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have said they are working behind the scenes to draft an Authorization for the Use of Military Force — but Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on Thursday said he doesn't expect an imminent vote on the issue.
"I think they're, obviously, getting readouts from our military leadership on a somewhat regular basis, I think that will be helpful in terms of shaping the views of our members," Thune said. "But as of right now, I'm not hearing that."
Curtis said he is willing to give the administration time during the next 30 days "of technical withdrawal" but is closely watching what happens in Iran to determine next steps.
"I think it depends on the administration. If they bring this together and show us how we're in the winding-down period … that's a very different answer," Curtis said. "If we're winding up, if we're still talking about sending troops in on the ground — then that's problematic for me."
Meanwhile, Democrats in both the House and Senate are moving forward with plans to continually introduce war powers resolutions that would limit the military action Trump can approve in Iran. When asked if he would support those motions if an Authorization for the Use of Military Force stalls, Curtis said it would depend on what language is included.
"I have to see it, because what I've seen so far is not a real serious attempt," he said.
Moore: Lawmakers should have 'opportunity' to weigh in on war
While Republicans have largely backed Trump's military directives, that support could be waning as the conflict drags on. Recent polling shows a majority of Americans don't believe the military action has been worth it and that the operation has a mostly negative impact on their personal financial situation.
That sentiment is split in Utah, where a plurality of voters (46%) say they support Trump's military action compared to just 39% who say they disapprove, according to a Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll last month. However, a majority of Utahns say the president should have gotten congressional approval before launching the attack.
Other members of Utah's delegation have signaled they would be open to a vote for Congress to authorize military action in Iran.
Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, told the Deseret News last week that "there should be an opportunity" for lawmakers to weigh in, although he noted a number of other legislative priorities that may delay a vote.
"I think it only strengthens potential for a good outcome … to be able to look holistically and determine what areas we need to be focused on," Moore said. "That's why there's a timeline, so we can have this moment to sort of reevaluate and weigh in from the American public. Because that's what Congress is supposed to do, is be a voice of the people. I haven't seen any particular proposals yet."
