Senior Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen have publicly criticized the Republican-controlled Congress, accusing members of failing to assert their constitutional role in matters of war and peace. In recent interviews, the senators argued that Republicans have become overly compliant with the executive branch, specifically regarding potential military escalation with Iran.

Senator Warren and Senator Van Hollen characterized the current Republican approach as a surrender of legislative power. They specifically argued that Congress maintains the constitutional authority to declare war, a power they claim is being neglected by the current leadership. The senators used strong rhetoric to describe this perceived inaction, suggesting that Republican lawmakers are acting as “rubber stamps” for the president's foreign policy decisions rather than serving as an independent check on executive authority.

The senators called upon their Republican counterparts to join them in asserting the legislative branch's oversight responsibilities. This critique centers on the balance of power between the White House and Congress, with the Democrats asserting that the current dynamic undermines the system of checks and balances. While the Democratic senators have been vocal in their criticism, the Republican response to these specific allegations of being “gelatinous blobs” or “rubber stamps” was not included in the provided reporting.