Dem Lawmaker Slams GOP Rep. Lawler as ‘Lapdog’ on Trump War Powers

GOP Rep. Mike Lawler Criticized Over Stance on Presidential War Powers

A prominent Democratic lawmaker has sharply criticized Republican Representative Mike Lawler of New York, accusing him of acting as a “lapdog” for President Trump and failing to uphold his duty to Congress. The criticism comes as a crucial deadline approaches for a War Powers Resolution vote, with Democrats sensing potential Republican defections. The resolution, if passed, would require the president to seek congressional approval for military actions that have been ongoing for more than 60 days.

War Powers Resolution Deadline Looms

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is a key piece of legislation that limits the president’s ability to commit U.S. armed forces to armed conflict without the consent of Congress. Under the resolution, if a president deploys troops into hostilities, they must notify Congress within 48 hours. After 60 days, the president must withdraw the forces unless Congress has declared war or granted an extension. A significant date is April 29th, marking 60 days since the invocation of certain military actions, after which presidential approval would be needed.

Democrats are reportedly hearing from Republican colleagues that many are ready to support a War Powers Resolution vote, especially with the deadline nearing. One House GOP lawmaker, speaking anonymously to MSNow, indicated that by April 29th, a substantial number of Republicans would be willing to back the resolution. “If they don’t come to us by then, they’re in violation of the law,” the lawmaker stated. “And that’s when you’ll see many of us saying no mas.”

Lawmaker Claims Growing Republican Support for War Powers Vote

Representative Swalwell, who introduced a War Powers Resolution with Thomas Massey, initially had only two Republican co-sponsors. However, he reports hearing from nearly 15 Republicans who are now considering supporting the measure. The reasons cited for this shift include the recent loss of 13 service members, the risk to troops currently deployed, rising gas prices, and a general feeling that the administration is not prioritizing American interests or the U.S. Congress.

“We’ve lost 13 service members, because many of our troops are at risk of losing their lives, because gas is up to over $4 a gallon,” the lawmaker stated, highlighting the perceived negative consequences of unchecked presidential war powers.

The lawmaker also expressed frustration with what they see as the administration prioritizing foreign leaders over Congress. “How about reporting to the United States Congress? I mean, this administration has insulted Congress. They’re more concerned with reporting to people like Netanyahu than they are to the American people and Congress is tired of it,” the representative said.

Epstein Files and Accountability Concerns

The discussion also touched upon the release of the Epstein files and broader issues of accountability. Representative Lawler was questioned by a constituent about the Epstein files, with the constituent expressing distrust in the information being released. The lawmaker suggested that Lawler’s response indicated a potential shift in his stance, implying that the truth about the administration’s corruption was finally being revealed.

The representative linked the issues of presidential war powers and the Epstein files to a broader concern about the character and trustworthiness of the current administration. “It is about character. It is about the American character. It’s not actually about ideology,” the lawmaker asserted. “You have a president of the United States who literally betrayed our values and who we can’t trust.” This sentiment, the representative believes, will lead to significant Democratic victories in the upcoming elections, provided vigilance against election interference.

Resignations and Calls for Accountability

The conversation also addressed the recent resignations of Congressman Eric Swalwell and Congressman Tony Gonzales. While Swalwell resigned amid a probe into alleged sexual misconduct, he denied the allegations, stating only that he had made mistakes in judgment. The lawmaker acknowledged that some Democrats privately felt Swalwell was being targeted, while others were shocked by the seriousness of the allegations.

The representative emphasized the need for accountability across the board, drawing a parallel between the calls for Swalwell’s resignation and the lack of accountability for other powerful figures. “How about all of these powerful and rich men who raped underage girls with the Epstein files, and no one is counting, calling for accountability there,” the lawmaker questioned. The call for accountability, the representative stressed, should extend to the president and others implicated in the Epstein files, demanding justice for all who abuse the law.

Looking Ahead: Election Integrity and Accountability

As the April 29th deadline for the War Powers Resolution vote approaches, attention will be on whether more Republicans will join the call for congressional oversight of military actions. The upcoming election will also be a key focus, with the call for accountability and transparency likely to resonate with voters. The representative urged vigilance to ensure election integrity, suggesting that a strong mandate in the fall is possible if Americans remain watchful against interference and cheating.

Source: ‘Lap dog for the president’: Top Dem slams GOP Rep. Lawler over failure to check Trump’s war powers (YouTube)