Senator Katie Britt says Trump has the authority to “finish the job” in Iran

Jeff Bennett:

For perspective on how Congress is assessing the unfolding situation in the Middle East, we’re joined now by Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama.

Senator Katie Britt, welcome to the show.

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL):

Thank you Jeff. I appreciate you all having me.

Jeff Bennett:

The Senate this evening rejected a war powers resolution that would limit the president’s ability to strike Iran. It will require congressional approval. What was it about that that you found objectionable?

Senator Katie Britt:

Look, the president has the authority under Article II to do the strikes he’s carrying out now.

The president’s mission has been well laid out. He wants to make sure that we maintain the safety and security of Americans, and that we ultimately destroy Iran’s military establishment, its missile capabilities, its ability to manufacture them, its naval fleet, and any ability to restore or reconfigure nuclear enrichment.

When we look at bad actors around the world, Iran was at the top of that list. So I think allowing the president to finish the job he started is critical. We’ve certainly seen this power given to presidents throughout my lifetime, and I’m personally proud that the president continues to put Americans front and center.

Jeff Bennett:

When you say finish the job, at what point do you think Congress should have a formal vote on this conflict?

Senator Katie Britt:

Well, the president will have several days to complete this obviously. He explained that it will take some time for us to be able to do this, but we are well ahead of schedule for where they have planned.

So the president, not only with the number of their military commanders and obviously the Ayatollah that have been eliminated, but also with the number of their munitions and their missile capabilities and their capabilities that have actually diminished. So I think they have a plan in place to finish the job. It won’t happen overnight, but we certainly hope to get it done in the coming weeks.

There are no plans at this point to deploy boots on the ground, and it is clear that the President wants the safety and security of our forces to be of the utmost importance. Our hearts are certainly broken and our prayers go out to the families of those who have already lost loved ones. We know that their selfless sacrifices will ultimately keep Americans safe in the region and here at home.

Jeff Bennett:

Question about that, because regime change in the Middle East often leads to instability. History shows that conflicts with Iran can quickly escalate through proxies.

How confident are you that the United States will not be drawn into a broader regional war?

Senator Katie Britt:

Look, the president made it very clear. He will make sure we achieve peace through strength again.

For over 47 years, we have had leaders who looked the other way or tried to appease the regime, and what happened is they enriched the regime. We look at what happened to the Iranian people, not just the conditions they were living in, but also the 30,000 Iranians who were slaughtered by the Ayatollah that we know.

Clearly it is time to act. The president knew, given what happened in the previous administration, and the lenient sanctions even before that with President Obama and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, that this regime used this funding to build its military capabilities that ultimately endanger people there in the region, at our military bases, and obviously our allies, but it has the potential to put people here at home at risk.

So I feel confident that the President will continue to make critical decisions, and that he is committed to making sure that we get the job done, and that we get it done as fully and as quickly as possible. So I know another important thing is that when Jeff says he’s going to do something, he follows through with it.

He gave Iran the opportunity to sit at the table, make the right decisions, and move forward. But gone are the days when we looked the other way at the expense of American citizens. We have seen this by securing our borders. We’ve seen that by making sure that we really stop fentanyl and stop that movement throughout our country.

And the president means it when it comes to the largest state sponsor of terrorism, Iran, the literal head of the snake. The Ayatollah is gone now. We need to ensure that their agents do not have the funding, resources, or equipment that would enable them to harm Americans in the region or here at home.

Jeff Bennett:

However, given that the Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, if Congress will not discuss or vote on this conflict in particular, how will you and your colleagues do your part as representatives of the public on a decision as important as war, especially when six in 10 Americans, according to a new CNN poll, say they disapprove of strikes in Iran?

Senator Katie Britt:

My question is, so how did President Obama do it and how did President Biden do it?

When you launch strikes from the air and you destroy other people’s capabilities, we’ve seen parties – and you’ve actually seen clips of Nancy Pelosi telling us that it’s perfectly fine within Barack Obama’s constitutional authority to be able to conduct those strikes and carry them out for days.

So, at this point, we have airstrikes targeting different targets across Iran. We have a mission set before the American people. I have full confidence in President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Secretary Hegseth to finish this job.

Now, if there is a different change – a different change in events, I feel confident that we here in the Senate will be able to have those kinds of conversations that need to be had. And I think we’re definitely all up to the task.

Jeff Bennett:

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security, as you well know, remains partially unfunded amid negotiations over immigration enforcement policies.

You’ve said you’ve re-engaged in negotiations with Democrats. What tangible progress has been made towards ending this partial lockdown?

Senator Katie Britt:

Yes.

And I would say, when it comes to the Department of Homeland Security, it’s not just a partial shutdown. It’s a complete shutdown in terms of us not doing our job. Therefore, I think it is necessary that we return to the table.

What we’ve seen over the last 18 days are conversations between the Minority Leader’s office and the White House. At this time, I think it’s time for the members elected by the people in their states to stand up and say, yes, I want to serve, yes, I want to get into a room and have the tough conversations to actually do that.

I think there’s definitely a way forward here, but there never will be if we’re not having conversations. So I re-engaged in conversations with my Democratic colleagues. Other Republicans were doing the same.

But I think, at this point in time, when there’s an increased threat environment right here within us, it’s very important that the people whose mission and mission is to keep Americans safe here at home don’t worry about financial insecurity, but that they receive a salary, that the mission is fully funded, that we put the safety and security of Americans before politics.

That’s definitely what I’m trying to do.

Jeff Bennett:

Republican Senator Katie Britt, thank you for joining us this evening.

Senator Katie Britt:

Thank you very much, Jeff. I appreciate it.