Congress Must Use Every Tool at its Disposal to Stop a Disastrous War with Iran
IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2020
Contact: Jessica Juarez Scruggs, (206) 321-0803, jessica@progressivecaucuscenter.org
WASHINGTON — Executive Director of the Progressive Caucus Action Fund, Liz Watson, released the following statement after the House voted to approve H.Con.Res. 83, a War Powers Resolution limiting military action against Iran:
“We applaud the House of Representatives for taking swift action to make it clear that Congress does not authorize military action against Iran. This is an important first step in reining in the Trump Administration’s reckless provocation of Iran and thereby preventing an unnecessary and dangerous war.
We urge Congressional leaders to use every tool at their disposal to stop this violence from escalating any further. In addition to this important resolution, we urge both houses of Congress to pass Rep. Barbara Lee’s bill to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (H.R. 2456), and Rep. Ro Khanna’s bill, the No War Against Iran Act (H.R. 5543), to restrict funding for military action against Iran. Congress must make clear that the Trump Administration does not have a blank check for war with Iran.
Let’s be perfectly clear: the Trump administration created this crisis. By abandoning the international Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and trying to cripple the Iranian economy, hurting millions of civilians in the process, the Trump Administration destroyed real progress toward peace and cooperation in the region. The Trump Administration’s killing of a top Iranian government officials without proper congressional consultation plunged us into a needless and dangerous escalation of hostilities, that threatens to enter into full-bore military conflict. It is up to Congress to step in and stop the Trump Administration from endangering millions of lives and committing U.S. troops to another disastrous war. We must put a stop to the Trump Administration’s warmongering and we must invest in massive diplomatic efforts instead.”
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About the Progressive Caucus Action Fund: The Progressive Caucus Action Fund (PCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that drives progressive ideas into the debate, supports greater cohesion across the progressive movement, generates the momentum we need to advance racial, economic and gender justice, and builds progressive power across America. Learn more at www.progressivecaucusactionfund.org.