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Sen. Collins defends decision to vote against war powers resolution

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio, Associated Press


Maine’s two U.S. Senators were split on a resolution aimed at blocking further military action in Iran without Congressional authorization that failed in the Senate on Wednesday.

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins voted against the procedural measure, while Independent Sen. Angus King voted in favor.

The measure failed along party lines in a 52-48 vote in the Republican-led chamber.

Sen. Collins said in a statement that passing the resolution would send the wrong message, and that the president’s administration did notify Congress and provide classified briefings on the strikes.

Collins emphasized the threat posed by Iran and the potential for the nation to develop nuclear weapons:

“We cannot tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. The Iranian regime’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities, ballistic missile development, and support for terrorist proxies pose serious and longstanding threats to the national security of the United States and our allies. Iran has enormous stockpiles of missiles and one-way attack drones and the industrial capacity to continue to expand its arsenal. If the Iranian regime were allowed to continue developing ballistic missiles, it would soon be able to shield its nuclear facilities by threatening a grave and immediate response to any attack.”

In a video statement released Wednesday, Sen. King, who’s been critical of the motive behind the strikes, said the Trump administration has yet to provide a clear explanation of the “imminent threat” posed by Iran.

Sen. King and Sen. Collins both sit on the Senate Intelligence Committee, which received a classified briefing about the strikes.

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