FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 30, 2020
CONTACT: Mana Mostatabi | 202.386.6325 x103 | [email protected]
NIAC Action Policy Director Ryan Costello issued the following statement on the House of Representatives passing legislation to clarify that no authorization for an Iran war exists, prohibit funds for an unauthorized Iran war, and repeal the 2002 authorization to use military force against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Rep. Khanna’s amendment passed in a 228-175 vote, while Rep. Lee’s amendment passed 236-166:
Back to top“Today, the House of Representatives took decisive action to clarify that President Trump does not have authorization for an Iran war and to rescind the 2002 authorization for war against Iraq which has been abused by the administration. The American people do not want a new disastrous and endless war with Iran. Given that President Trump’s disastrous Iran strategy brought us to the brink of full-blown war with Iran in both June 2019 and January 2020, Congress must continue to move expeditiously to rein in the administration’s reckless Iran approach.
“Such action would not be necessary if the President had stuck with the Iran nuclear deal and sought to build on it. Nor would it be necessary if this was an administration that respects the Constitution, sets realistic policy goals with Iran and heeds the wishes of the American people on only using military force as a last resort. Instead, we have a reckless President previewing unauthorized airstrikes at Mar-a-Lago while he keeps Congress in the dark.
“Reps. Ro Khanna and Barbara Lee deserve tremendous credit for their steadfast leadership in pushing this needed legislation forward once again. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel also deserve credit for moving swiftly following President Trump’s latest escalations. Now the Senate, once it is finished with impeachment proceedings, must take up this legislation and pass it in order to send a clear and united message that the White House does not have authorization for an Iran war.”