Arizona Lawmakers Shift Stance on Presidential War Powers Amid Iran Conflict
In a surprising turn of events, Arizona Representatives Andy Biggs and David Schweikert have thrown their support behind President Donald Trump’s decision to initiate military action against Iran, despite their historical stance advocating for congressional approval before engaging in warfare.
The two Republicans, currently in the running for governor in the upcoming July 21 primary, are cautious not to alienate Trump’s supporters. Trump has officially endorsed Biggs, further complicating their political calculus.
Schweikert, representing Fountain Hills, described his support for the military action as “the right vote” following a narrow House decision of 219-212 against a resolution that would have mandated an end to hostilities with Iran. However, he refrained from detailing how this aligns with his previously stated belief that “The power to declare war rests exclusively with Congress, not the Executive branch,” as noted on his official website.
Similarly, Biggs of Gilbert highlighted Congress’s responsibility in matters of war, asserting that the resolution addressed a non-existent situation. He stated, “President Trump’s targeted actions to neutralize threats from the Iranian regime fall squarely within his Article II authority as Commander in Chief and within the parameters of the War Powers Act of 1973.” Neither lawmaker has publicly commended the attack on Iran as of the latest developments.
The Senate had previously dismissed a similar resolution with a 53-47 vote, with Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego aligning with the minority. Within the House, the vote saw only two Republicans opposing Trump’s war powers, and four Democrats supporting them. Arizona’s congressional delegation voted along party lines.
Yassamin Ansari, a Phoenix representative and the first Iranian-American Democrat in Congress, condemned the Iranian regime for its atrocities while emphasizing Congress’s constitutional role in declaring war. She remarked, “The Constitution is clear: the power to declare war rests with Congress. … The fate of the Iranian people and the United States are at stake.”
Despite previous criticisms of presidential overreach concerning military actions, Biggs defended his stance by differentiating the Iran conflict from a traditional war, arguing that the president’s actions were “limited and strategic,” aiming to safeguard American interests and prevent Iran’s nuclear advancement.
Biggs’s past actions include opposing President Joe Biden’s military decisions, criticizing them as unconstitutional on social media platform X. Furthermore, in 2019, he co-founded a bipartisan War Powers Caucus with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, advocating for congressional oversight on war-related decisions.
Reflecting on past legislative efforts, Biggs and Schweikert have historically supported measures to restrict presidential military authority, including a failed attempt to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force alongside Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Biggs has expressed satisfaction with the objectives outlined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which include protecting American lives, dismantling Iran’s regional threat capabilities, and preventing nuclear proliferation. He emphasized his commitment to the constitutional balance of powers while supporting lawful presidential actions that ensure national security.
