Jayapal Statement on Escalating Tensions Between the US and Iran
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement amid rising tensions in the Middle East as Iran launched missiles at U.S. Military bases in Iraq and Qatar in response to U.S. attacks.
“Due to the reckless and unconstitutional military actions of this administration, the American people are now at risk. Trump said he would be a ‘peacemaker’ and is clearly betraying that promise and the voters who put their trust in his administration. Instead of negotiating peace agreements in our existing wars, he has now launched the United States into another dangerous war, with potentially devastating consequences for both our servicemembers and civilians.
“When Trump ordered bombing in Iran, there was no imminent threat to the United States from Iran that necessitated action without Congressional authorization. This is not our war to fight. Even Trump’s own Director of National Intelligence told Congress that Iran was not on the verge of building a nuclear weapon, nor were they threatening the U.S. or servicemembers in the region. The longer-term consequences of these strikes, including to the American people, will be severe.
“Congress has the sole power to declare war in the absence of imminent threats — that is not only because we are elected directly by the people and represent each district’s will, but also so that reckless decisions are not made. Trump’s actions in Iran are clearly an act of war and put our national security and the safety of U.S. troops at risk, as we saw today when Iran launched retaliatory missiles at our bases in Qatar. My thoughts are with the servicemembers now in harm’s way and their families.
“In direct contradiction of his own Cabinet officials, Trump has also made it clear that this war is, in fact, about ‘regime change.’ Regime change led by outside forces has rarely been successful and is exactly how the U.S. got into an eight-year war in Iraq that killed 4,000 American troops and cost untold U.S. taxpayer dollars. The American people—including those who voted for Donald Trump—have been clear that they do not want another forever war. It is absolutely essential that Congress immediately vote on a War Powers Resolution to rein in this Administration and ensure our country is not put into even more dangerous wars.
“Now is the time for diplomacy. Experts have been clear across the board that these strikes will only encourage Iran to weaponize in secret. Instead of reactionary attacks, we should be working to negotiate an end to dangerous levels of enrichment and ensure inspection of sites in Iran.”