TENSE

White House Notifies Congress of Soleimani Killing as Part of War Powers Act

The notification is required within 48 hours of introducing U.S. forces into armed conflict or hostilities.

The White House sent a formal notification to Congress under the War Powers Act of the Thursday strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, The New York Times reports, citing two congressional officials. The notification is required within 48 hours of introducing U.S. armed forces into conflict or hostilities that could lead to war. Lawmakers expected for one portion of the document to be public, while another portion was expected to be classified, the Times reports. However, the formal notification received at the Capitol on Saturday is entirely classified, according a senior congressional aide. It is unclear if the administration plans to issue a non-classified version that can be publicized. White House officials have said they were acting on credible intelligence that showed Soleimani was involved in imminent plans to attack American interests. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced a resolution on Friday invoking the War Powers Act that would require a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation with Iran.