CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s senators say there was a threat to Americans ahead of an American strike killing an Iranian military leader.
Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito spoke Thursday about a briefing regarding the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Iran on Tuesday attacked American facilities in Iraq in light of an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Capito, R-W.Va., said she was satisfied with the Trump administration’s argument of an imminent threat.
“I’m convinced that had this gone on further without any action and something had happen, that briefing would have been, ‘Did you know something was going to happen and why didn’t you do anything?'” she said on Thursday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
“I think the fact that he was in Iraq, the fact they had stormed and set fire to our American embassy … and you can’t tell me the intention was not to kill people in our embassy because if that had breached those doors, that’s exactly what they would have done or kidnapped at a minimum.”
Utah Republican Mike Lee criticized the briefing, calling it the worst he has received in nine years as a senator. Capito said Lee’s frustration is because of a lack of specific information.
“You have to consider that we’re listening to the CIA, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and there are certain people that are giving us information like intelligence insiders, that you have to be careful about what you share,” she said. “I wouldn’t say the United States Senate is exactly a locked box of information.”
Manchin, D-W.Va., noted in a statement the threat was to American personnel in the Middle East. He added while the death of Soleimani was “a measure of justice” to the families of American soldiers who died, the president has constitutional limits.
“However, Article I of the Constitution is clear that before the President commits United States Armed Forces to war against Iran, the American people’s representation in Congress must authorize the use of military force. Therefore it is imperative we use this pause as an opportunity for Congress and the Administration to discuss the appropriate pathway forward in the region,” he said.
Manchin additionally pitched diplomacy over additional military forces.
“I remain deeply concerned about the safety of American military and diplomatic personnel stationed in the region. It is our sacred duty and responsibility to ensure that when we send Americans into harm’s way, we provide them with a clear objective and comprehensive strategy, as to not needlessly put them at risk,” he said. “While we are all grateful that there were no American casualties in Tuesday night’s attack, it has caused the nation to pause and reflect about America’s role in achieving peace in the region.”
Manchin is holding a roundtable on Middle East relations on Friday; the event is set to be held at the West Virginia Lottery building in Charleston and will be closed to the press.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a resolution emphasizing if President Donald Trump wants to go to war with Iran, he must get congressional approval first. West Virginia Reps. David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Carol Miller opposed the measure as did most Republicans.