As tensions continue to simmer between President Donald Trump and North Korea, some senators aim to ensure the United States does not preemptively strike the secluded nation without a vote of Congress.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) will introduce the bill, Murphy announced on Wednesday.
“Trump’s North Korea threats are real,” Murphy said in a series of tweets on Wednesday night. “I will intro bill w @brianschatz & @CoryBooker to prohibit any preemptive action w/o vote by Congress. My bill w @brianschatz & @CoryBooker makes clear that any unauthorized preemptive strike on N Korea – nuclear or conventional – is illegal.For all the Republicans breaking w Trump, here is your chance to actually constrain his most dangerous power – to make war.”
Trump's North Korea threats are real. I will intro bill w @brianschatz & @CoryBooker to prohibit any preemptive action w/o vote by Congress.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 26, 2017
Earlier this month, Murphy warned the American people to stop treating Trump’s rhetoric toward North Korea as “just bluster.”
As Trump’s war of words with North Korea continues to escalate, any Americans and even lawmakers have feared a nuclear response. Democratic lawmakers introduced similar legislation in January that would limit Trump’s ability to launch a nuclear strike without authorization from Congress.
Earlier this year, Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea and has repeatedly called North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “rocket man.” Trump’s aggressive stance toward the country began in earnest in August, when said he would meet threats from the country with “fire and fury.”
Foreign policy experts have warned that a war with North Korea would be devastating and it is likely the country would attack South Korea or another neighboring country, likely causing hundreds of thousands—if not millions—of deaths.