Kaine, Schumer, and Schiff Slam Blocking of Iran War Powers Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) slammed the Senate’s failure to pass their bipartisan War Powers Resolution that would have stopped President Donald Trump’s illegal, unnecessary war with Iran and ensured any U.S. participation in hostilities against Iran be explicitly authorized by Congress. It would not have prevented the U.S. from defending itself or Israel from an Iranian attack.
“No one is disputing that Iran has been a bad actor. But the civilian leadership of our country owes it to our servicemembers and their families that we will only send them into harm’s way if it is absolutely necessary—and that if we do, we will have clear objectives and a plan that has been fully thought through,” said Senator Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. “The President and his Administration’s changing and contradictory statements underscore that they rushed into a war without thinking of the consequences that this will have for the American people, our economy, and stability in the region. My colleagues’ failure to pass our bipartisan War Powers Resolution adds to a dangerous pattern of Congress ceding our constitutional duties to an increasingly erratic President. How are we supposed to look our constituents in the eyes and send our sons and daughters into war if we aren’t willing to take this most solemn responsibility seriously? I pray for the families whose loved ones will never come home and hope that this war will not turn into another endless conflict.”
“The American people have been clear: they do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East. Yet today, most Senate Republicans made their choice—they sided with President Trump’s Iran War,” said Leader Schumer. “The Constitution gives Congress—not the president—the authority to decide when our nation goes to war. By blocking this War Powers Resolution, the Senate has failed in its duty as a check on the executive. Senate Republicans are choosing to give President Trump a green light to escalate. Senate Democrats will continue fighting for transparency, accountability, and a foreign policy that respects the gravity of sending Americans into harm’s way.”
"The American people continue to say loud and clear that they do not want another endless war that puts servicemembers at risk and costs our country dearly when we have so many needs at home. If the Senate continues to forsake Congress's war powers and its responsibility, there will be soon no constraint left on this president or any other to make war whenever they choose, wherever they choose. And the American people and our sons and daughters will pay the price in blood and treasure. We will continue to use every tool we have to force this administration to end this war and to force Congress to do its job,” said Senator Schiff.
Last June, the Senate voted on a similar War Powers Resolution introduced by Kaine to prevent the use of military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The June resolution gained bipartisan support but did not receive enough votes to advance.
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