By Gloria Ogbonna
Tim Kaine sharply criticized the decision by Donald Trump to carry out military action against Iran, warning that the move could endanger American troops and drag the United States into another costly conflict in the Middle East.
During an appearance on Face the Nation on CBS News, Kaine argued that the president’s decision to strike Iranian targets exposes U.S. service members to serious and avoidable dangers while also raising concerns about the legality and long-term consequences of the operation.
Speaking with host Margaret Brennan, Kaine said his immediate priorities are to end the conflict and ensure the safety of American troops stationed in the region.
Brennan began the discussion by raising concerns about the financial cost of the conflict. She noted that analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies had estimated that the first 100 hours of military operations in the war could cost nearly $4 billion.
She asked Kaine whether Congress had received any updated cost estimates from the Pentagon and whether lawmakers might soon see a supplemental funding request from the White House to finance the expanding military campaign.
Kaine responded that, based on the information currently available, the administration has not yet decided whether to request additional war funding from Congress.
According to the senator, lawmakers recently attended a classified briefing where the issue of funding was discussed. However, he said the administration told Congress that it had not reached a final decision on whether it would submit a supplemental spending request.
Despite the uncertainty over funding, Kaine made it clear that he strongly opposes the current military operation.
He said his main objectives moving forward are to stop what he described as an unnecessary war and to prevent American service members from being placed in harm’s way.
“My goals right now are twofold,” Kaine said. “First, to stop this war, which I view as both illegal and profoundly unwise. And second, to protect our troops.”
Kaine argued that the military action ordered by the Trump administration could create significant risks for American forces deployed across the Middle East. U.S. troops are currently stationed at numerous bases throughout the region, many of which could potentially become targets in retaliation for American strikes.
According to Kaine, protecting the safety of those troops should be the top priority for U.S. leaders.
“That’s one of the reasons I want to stop the war,” he said. “I think our troops are being exposed to a completely unnecessary risk by what President Trump has done.”
The senator added that if the White House ultimately decides to request additional funding for the war effort, he and other lawmakers will carefully examine the proposal to determine whether it aligns with the goals of protecting troops and preventing a prolonged conflict.
Brennan also pressed Kaine on why the administration might be hesitant to request additional funding at this stage of the conflict.
She suggested that uncertainty about the length and scale of the war could be a factor in the delay.
Kaine agreed that the unpredictable nature of the conflict could be one reason the administration has not yet submitted a supplemental budget request. Traditionally, administrations wait until they have a clearer understanding of the scope and duration of a military operation before asking Congress for additional funds.
If the White House were to submit a request too early, Kaine noted, it might underestimate the total cost of the conflict.
However, the senator also suggested that political considerations could be playing a role in the administration’s hesitation.
He speculated that the White House might be trying to avoid triggering a broader debate in Congress about whether the United States should be involved in another war in the Middle East.
Earlier in the week, Kaine introduced a measure under the War Powers Resolution that would have required congressional approval for continued military operations against Iran.
That effort ultimately failed in the Senate, but Kaine made it clear during the interview that he intends to continue pushing for congressional oversight of the conflict.
“I put up a war powers vote that I lost earlier this week,” Kaine said. “But I can assure you, I’m not going away.”
He emphasized that Congress still has multiple avenues to hold debates and votes on the issue and that lawmakers should carefully evaluate whether continued military involvement in the region truly serves U.S. interests.
Kaine also pointed to the long history of American military engagement in the Middle East over the past quarter-century. Since the early 2000s, the United States has been involved in multiple wars and military operations in the region, including conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Given that history, Kaine argued that the American public deserves a thorough discussion about whether another war is justified.
“We need to have a debate and discussion about whether this war is in the United States’ interest,” he said, referencing more than 25 years of military involvement in the Middle East.
Kaine concluded by saying that if the administration eventually submits a supplemental funding request for the conflict, Congress will carefully review it to determine whether the spending proposal addresses concerns about troop safety and the long-term consequences of the war.
Until then, he said, lawmakers must remain focused on ensuring transparency and accountability as the situation continues to develop.
Source Breitbart
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