April 3, 2025 2:50 a.m.

On Tuesday, in response to escalating U.S. military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Kentucky’s U.S. Senator Rand Paul joined forces to urge the Trump administration to adhere to the Constitution and consult with Congress in order to avoid stumbling into another costly and unnecessary war.

A joint release said their bipartisan effort is demanding swift answers amid growing national security concerns as a result of U.S. military engagement in the region and what they believe is the administration’s careless decision-making.

In a letter to President Trump, Merkley and Paul wrote: “U.S. military action must have a clear strategy that advances our country’s long-term national security objectives and is compliant with the law of armed conflict. Congress should be briefed about the recent strikes against the Houthis and the total cost expected to be incurred by this campaign at the American taxpayer’s expense”.

Merkley and Paul continued, “The Administration must also explain to Congress and the American people its expected path forward given the failure of previous such efforts and statements from the Administration that the military campaign will continue and possibly expand to include military action against Iran”.

Merkley and Paul reminded the president of the requirements under the War Powers Resolution of 1973 to notify Congress in the event of military engagement. They asked for a classified briefing within 10 days to address their concerns.