Springfield, MA – Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after President Trump conducted unauthorized military strikes in Iran.
“In 2018, President Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement that limited Iran’s ability to pursue nuclear weapons and helped prevent an arms race in the Middle East. Today, he has launched an unauthorized strike on Iran, unnecessarily putting the lives of our men and women at risk.
“The American people deserve answers, which is why Congress must reassert its constitutionally mandated war power and debate this matter on its merits in plain view. Whether it be the operation that clearly failed to take out Iran’s nuclear capability, or the strikes in Venezuela that ousted a foreign leader with no clear military objective, I have consistently called on the President to seek authorization from Congress. The same holds true today.
“While nobody refutes the notion that the Iranian regime is a corrupt and repressive government that has committed countless human rights violations, the fact remains that the President must seek congressional approval and fully brief Congress on his objectives and justification. House Democrats plan to force a vote on a resolution next week to rein in the President’s military operations in Iran, and I fully intend to support it.
“I am praying for our service members who have been put in harm’s way. We cannot let another generation fight another endless war with no clear endgame. That is why Congress must fulfill its responsibility as a coequal branch of government and reaffirm its Article I authority.”
