With the U.S. military amassing in the Middle East ahead of possible strikes in Iran, a Democratic lawmaker explains his effort to limit the president.

The U.S. Constitution empowers Congress, not the president, to declare war. That hasn’t stopped plenty of presidents from commanding military combat. It didn’t stop President Trump from ordering airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites last year — and building up the U.S. military in the Middle East while he mulls further action this year.

So far in this Trump administration, efforts to reclaim that congressional authority have failed. Sen. Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, explains why he is still pursuing a war powers resolution.

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This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Courtney Dorning. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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