Who Has the Power to Send Us to War? Congress Just Drew a Line in the Sand

Doctor Chelsea McGee

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Real 4-1-1. I’m Dr. Chelsea McGee, and if you’re new here, this is where we challenge power, dig past the headlines, and—honestly—refuse to let the story end at the surface. Today, we’re talking about something that, frankly, keeps me up at night: Who actually has the power to send us to war? And why, all of a sudden, are lawmakers from the far left and the far right—people who usually can’t agree on lunch—lining up together to draw a line in the sand? As tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran keep ratcheting up, Congress is making a rare bipartisan move to reassert its authority over war powers. So, what does this mean for our democracy? And who really gets to decide when American lives are put on the line? Let’s pull back the curtain and get into it.

Doctor Chelsea McGee

So, let’s start with the basics. Right now, you’ve got Senators like Tim Kaine and Bernie Sanders, and Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna—folks who, let’s be honest, don’t usually share a group chat—teaming up to push a War Powers Resolution. The idea? If the President wants to take military action against Iran, Congress has to sign off first. No more one-person show. Here's Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna discussing the issue. And this isn’t just some academic debate. The Constitution literally says Congress declares war, not the President. But, as we’ve seen over and over, presidents from both parties have found ways to sidestep that. Remember, as we discussed in a previous episode about executive overreach, these “emergency” powers get stretched until they’re basically unrecognizable. I always think about this like medicine—before I do a major procedure, I need a second opinion, a check, a pause. You don’t just go in and start cutting. Congress is supposed to be that check before we send troops into harm’s way. And right now, with the Middle East on a knife’s edge, that check matters more than ever.

Doctor Chelsea McGee

What’s wild is seeing people like Thomas Massie, a libertarian Republican, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat, both saying, “This is not our war. If it were, Congress must decide.” That’s not something you see every day. And honestly, it’s a sign that maybe—just maybe—some folks in Washington are remembering what their job actually is.

Doctor Chelsea McGee

But, of course, nothing in D.C. is ever that simple. Even with this rare moment of unity, there are deep rifts—both within and between the parties. You’ve got progressives like AOC and Rashida Tlaib signing on, but then you’ve got Republicans like Mike Lawler saying, “If AOC and Massie are a yes, that’s a good bet I’ll be a no.” For some, it’s about standing with Israel no matter what. For others, it’s about not getting dragged into another endless war. And then there’s the drama—oh, the drama. Did you catch the whole White House picnic fiasco? President Trump supposedly disinvited Senator Rand Paul and Representative Massie from the annual congressional picnic because they opposed his “big, beautiful bill.” Then, after a public spat, the invites were back on. I mean, it’s almost comical, but it actually says a lot about how personal and petty these power struggles can get. If you break with your party—or the President—you risk being iced out, losing committee spots, or even facing a primary challenge. Just look at Massie; after he defied Trump, there were whispers about challengers lining up back home in Kentucky. So, when lawmakers cross party lines on something as big as war powers, they’re not just making a policy statement—they’re taking a real risk.

Doctor Chelsea McGee

And, you know, it makes you wonder: How much of what happens in Congress is about principle, and how much is about personal loyalty or political survival? I might be wrong, but sometimes it feels like the latter wins out way too often.

Doctor Chelsea McGee

Now, let’s talk about what’s actually at stake. Senator Kaine called it a “horrible, horrible mistake” to get into a third war in the Middle East this century. And he’s not exaggerating. Iran’s nuclear facilities are buried deep in mountains—Israel can’t hit them alone, but the U.S. has the bunker-buster bombs that could. If we get involved, it’s not just a few airstrikes. It’s risking U.S. service members, destabilizing the whole region, and, honestly, opening a Pandora’s box. And let’s not forget—American forces are already in the region, and their positions are well known. Militias have been firing drones at U.S. bases for years. If we jump in, those threats multiply overnight. I’ve seen what happens when oversight is missing. Back in my advocacy days, I sat in on a community meeting after a disastrous intervention overseas. People were furious—demanding answers, holding their leaders’ feet to the fire. That kind of public outcry is what forced some accountability. And it’s the same energy we need now. Because when Congress doesn’t do its job, it’s regular people—soldiers, families, communities—who pay the price. We’ve seen it before: Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya. When there’s no real debate, no real vote, the consequences are catastrophic and long-lasting.

Doctor Chelsea McGee

I always say, if you’re not willing to stand up and be counted before sending someone else’s kid into battle, maybe you shouldn’t have the job. That’s the whole point of checks and balances—so we don’t just stumble into another forever war because one person says so.

Doctor Chelsea McGee

Alright, I want to hear from you—should presidents be allowed to launch military strikes without Congressional approval? Drop a comment wherever you’re listening. And if you know someone who still believes checks and balances matter, share this episode with them. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell, because when the next war vote happens, you’ll want the Real 4-1-1 first. And hey, follow me on Substack and Instagram for exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes updates, and my real-time reactions. Because, as always, the story is never just the headline. I’m Dr. Chelsea McGee, and I’ll see you next time.