Durbin Warns Against Escalating Tensions With Iran

Statement

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today warned against President Donald Trump's dangerous escalation towards conflict with Iran, which could lead to yet another reckless, never-ending war in the Middle East. In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin argued that the U.S. Constitution is clear that the power to declare war is an explicit power of the Congress.

"No war with Iran without the consent of Congress is authorized," Durbin said. "This Congress has rubberstamped too many of the President's worst instincts. We must not do so again and march into another war in the Middle East. Two wars still going, still costing American lives even to this day, are way too many. A third war, at this point, is unthinkable."

In June, Durbin voted for a bipartisan measure to prohibit funds from being used for military operations against Iran without explicit authorization from Congress. He was also a cosponsor of this measure.

In 2015, Durbin led the effort in the Senate that ultimately allowed the Iran nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to proceed, securing enough votes to block an effort to derail it.

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