Only Congress Can Authorize War Against Iran

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, President Trump said that the U.S. is ``locked and loaded'' and ready to launch an attack against Iran in retaliation for attacks on Saudi oil facilities that Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for.

Let's be clear, Mr. Speaker, this Congress has not--and let me emphasize, has not--authorized any kind of military operation against Iran. Nevertheless, the President is beating the drums of war to distract Americans from the truth.

What happened in Saudi Arabia is a logical outcome of failing to negotiate an end to Yemen's civil war. It is a logical outcome of the President's blind support for Saudi Arabia against the will of Congress.

It is time for cooler heads to prevail. It is time to end U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. It is time to end the failed maximum pressure campaign against Iran. It is time to remind this President that the Constitution gives Congress the right to declare war, not him.

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