Lawmakers react to ongoing military operation in Iran

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The US House failed to adopt a war powers resolution Thursday, just a day after the US Senate rejected a Democratic-led resolution.

"I believe Congress was appropriately notified and the president acted within his legal Article two authority as commander in chief in launching this coordinated military mission," said Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC.

"The power to declare war is ours. If we give it up, then we are turning our back on the Constitution and our responsibility to the American people," said Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, during remarks on the floor.

Despite Durbin's rhetoric, Congress hasn't formally declared war since June 4, 1942. The United States has been involved in numerous wars since, but those conflicts were authorized through other means, including executive action.

Budd, who sits on the US Committee on Armed Services, said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected any limitations on its nuclear program and ballistic missile programs during negotiations. Khamenei was struck and killed by an Israeli airstrike on the first day of the military operation.

"The Iranian regime has chanted, 'Death to America,' for nearly 50 years, and Iran has deployed its terror proxies to target American service members," said Budd. "They've stoked violence across the Middle East. They've enriched uranium with the goal of building a nuclear weapon to target the US and our allies. So let me be clear. A nuclear Iran was never an acceptable outcome."

"So far, we have five different explanations from the White House as to why we invaded Iran. Iran is triggering turmoil and chaos in the Middle East. That's for sure. But when you listen to these explanations of why we are willing to risk American lives, you wonder if the White House has clearly made up its mind about a strategy," said Durbin.

Six Americans have been killed thus far, all of whom were in Kuwait. Eighteen other American service members were injured in the strike.

Thursday, Budd was asked about the prospect of further involvement from US troops, namely those based in North Carolina.

"Anytime there's boots on the ground or any U.S. military involvement, there should always be concern. And we're grateful for those that are based in North Carolina," Budd said. "North Carolina is looked at as America's 911. I think the president needs to have a range of options at his disposal. But if you heard my opening remarks, we don't have an appetite for forever war. President Trump doesn't like forever wars. He doesn't like the way that things were managed in Iraq and Afghanistan. So you can expect the president to get this done as quickly as possible and protect the American people so we can get back to safety and prosperity."

Just two days after a slate of primaries, including here in North Carolina, ABC News Political Director Averi Harper said the fighting is drawing the attention of voters.

"When you look at recent polling, we find that a majority of Americans disapprove of the strikes in Iran. And we know that skepticism could grow even higher if these conflicts are considered open-ended," said Harper.

One key driving factor is the economic impact, as gas prices have jumped during the past week.

"Even though we know President Trump campaigned on no endless wars, the notion of foreign policy being at the top of people's concerns is not really something that we consider. But the fact that the decisions that have been made abroad could impact people economically here at home, that is going to be something that lawmakers and candidates and campaigns on both sides of the aisle are going to be watching very closely," said Harper.

According to AAA, the price for a gallon of regular gas in the state is up 26 cents from last week, though still below national averages.