Kaine says he has votes to pass Iraq War repeal in Senate

August 5, 2021 3oliver

Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineOvernight Defense: Police officer killed in violence outside Pentagon | Biden officials back repeal of Iraq War authorization | NSC pushed to oversee ‘Havana Syndrome’ response The infrastructure bill creates more need for workforce training Biden officials back repealing Iraq War authorization MORE (D-Va.) said on Wednesday that he has enough GOP support to get a repeal of Iraq War authorizations through the Senate.

“We think we have 11 who have either co-sponsored or voted for it or told the press they’re going to vote for it,” Kaine said.

Kaine added that more Republicans could sign on as they actively try to build support within the broader Senate GOP caucus.

Kaine’s comments come after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced legislation from him and Sen. Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungOvernight Defense: Police officer killed in violence outside Pentagon | Biden officials back repeal of Iraq War authorization | NSC pushed to oversee ‘Havana Syndrome’ response Biden officials back repealing Iraq War authorization Seven-figure ad campaign urges GOP to support infrastructure bill MORE (R-Ind.) that would repeal the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for the use of military force (AUMF), which are both related to wars in Iraq.

Three GOP senators voted for it in committee: Young, Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanHillicon Valley: Senate report finds major cyber shortcomings in federal agencies | Gig firms seek Mass. ballot question to classify workers as contractors | Blizzard’s president steps down after workplace protests Senate report finds major cybersecurity shortcomings among federal agencies The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – White House, Dems play blame game over evictions MORE (Ohio) and Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulFive takeaways from the Ohio special primaries Trump-backed Mike Carey wins GOP primary in Ohio special election Hillicon Valley: Senate report finds major cyber shortcomings in federal agencies | Gig firms seek Mass. ballot question to classify workers as contractors | Blizzard’s president steps down after workplace protests MORE (Ky.).

GOP Sens. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeThis week: Senate starts infrastructure sprint Senators introduce bipartisan infrastructure bill in rare Sunday session Biden’s bipartisan deal faces Senate gauntlet MORE (Utah), Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiGraham’s COVID-19 ‘breakthrough’ case jolts Senate Sarah Palin says she’s praying about running for Senate against Murkowski Graham says he has COVID-19 ‘breakthrough’ infection MORE (Alaska), Chuck GrassleyChuck GrassleyAxne endorses Finkenauer Senate bid in Iowa Seven-figure ad campaign urges GOP to support infrastructure bill Biden names new watchdog at finance agency after embattled IG departs MORE (Iowa) and Jerry MoranGerald (Jerry) MoranSeven-figure ad campaign urges GOP to support infrastructure bill GOP skepticism looms over bipartisan spending deal Graham: Bipartisan infrastructure pay-fors are insufficient MORE (Kan.) are also formal co-sponsors, but not on the Foreign Relations Committee.

In order to pass the Senate, the bill would need the support of at least 10 GOP senators if every Democratic senator voted “yes.”

Kaine said that he expects to have every member of the Democratic caucus agree.

“Based on earlier votes and what folks have said to me, yes, I think we’ll all 50,” Kaine said, asked about support within the Democratic caucus.

The likelihood that there’s enough support to break a legislative filibuster and pass the bill in the Senate would be a significant boost to Congress’s long-stalled efforts to try to claw back some of their war authority.

In June, the House voted to repeal the 2002 and 1991 AUMFs, as well as a 1957 resolution that provided broad authorization for military action in the Middle East to protect against “armed aggression from any country controlled by international communism.”

Schumer has vowed that he will give the 2002 repeal a vote on the Senate floor this year.

That could be as a stand-alone vote or an amendment to a massive defense policy bill. Kaine predicted that a stand-alone vote was more likely but that it wouldn’t happen until at least September.

“I intend to bring the repeal up for a vote on the Senate floor later this year. Members should be on notice; we’re going to vote on this,” Schumer said from the Senate floor.