Congress has abdicated its duty to initiate war against Iran because no one in Congress wants their name to be attached to this new unpopular war. Thomas Massie wrote that we're being told this military action could last months, which is the exact circumstance that the Founders intended for Congress to authorize war. The vote count was 212 votes in favor of Massie's proposal to 219 votes against it – all but two Republicans were against the resolution.

Thomas Massie cited the Constitution in his argument for his Iran War Powers Resolution, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11, that authorizes Congress, not the President, the power to initiate war against a country. Under the Constitution, Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1, the President is granted operational powers of war to wage that war. The 1973 War Powers Resolution does not supersede the Constitution. But Trump hasn't even met the conditions for that law that requires a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization or a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States. 

Massie further stated that Trump failed to provide a mission for this war and that military members are owed an explanation why we are going to war with Iran. Americans are also owed an explanation as the US has spent $8 trillion in overseas regime change wars. He warned against more swarms of refugees being sent to Europe and the US. Six Americans have been killed.