"People are not happy": Lebanon vote has House Democrats at each others' throats
An impending House vote to constrain the Trump administration from joining Israel's war in Lebanon has some Democrats fuming that one of their own members is forcing them to take an agonizing vote.Why it matters: That anger could cost the measure, introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), a significant amount of crucial Democratic support.The vote has attracted far more widespread opposition within the party than Iran war powers resolutions, according to numerous lawmakers and aides familiar with the behind-the-scenes dynamic."People are not happy," one senior House Democrat told Axios, "that she is making people take this vote."State of play: The House is scheduled to vote this week both on both a Democratic leadership-led Iran war powers resolution and Tlaib's Lebanon war powers resolution.Tlaib's two-page measure would direct President Trump to "remove the United States Armed Forces from Lebanon" within 7 days of when the measure is passed.The vote comes as Israel has been engaged on a months-long ground operation in Southern Lebanon and even threatened to bomb Hezbollah targets in Beirut in its fight with the Iran-backed militia.Tlaib's office said in a press release: "The United States is assisting this destruction through the weapons, intelligence, logistics, and diplomatic cover it provides the Israeli government, and Congress has the power and duty to put an end to this illegal invasion."Yes, but: House Democrats are caught between their wariness about being seen as condoning Israel's actions and the fact that there is no indication the U.S. is planning imminent, large-scale ground operations in Lebanon. There are also concerns among Democratic leadership that the resolution could hamper the U.S.'s current efforts to combat Hezbollah, lawmakers, aides and other sources familiar with the internal discussions told Axios.Reps. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Jim Himes (D-Conn.) — the top Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs, Armed Services and Intelligence Committees — are on the fence, according to multiple sources.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said he hasn't "taken a look at it yet," with a leadership aide telling Axios there are drafting issues that could be fixed to make the measure more widely palatable. What we're hearing: A second senior House Democrat said they are "probably a 'no'" on the measure, telling Axios it is "not a war powers resolution, it's a statement."Another House Democrat opposed to the resolution said the fact that Meeks, Smith and Himes aren't on board "will help" muster votes against it. The three ranking members are leading the Iran war powers efforts."People have stated their positions [on Lebanon] — there's no ambiguity," a fourth House Democrat fumed. "This resolution does nothing to advance a solution."What they're saying: "Poll after poll shows that the American people do not support our government sending a blank check and unlimited military assistance to the Israeli government as it massacres thousands of innocent civilians and demolishes entire cities and communities," Tlaib said in a statement to Axios."Members of Congress should listen to them, particularly as Israel's campaign of destruction in Lebanon threatens to prolong the disastrous war with Iran, which is causing extreme economic suffering for ordinary Americans who are already struggling to make ends meet." Said Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Tlaib's co-lead on the resolution: "Every day that we do not act to stop the assault on Lebanon, we enable another genocide. The War Powers Resolution is targeted to end Netanyahu and Trump's war crimes. Members of Congress must stop making excuses and act."The bottom line: If the resolution remains as is, expect way more Democratic "no" votes than the usual handful of staunchly pro-Israel centrists.
