Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement on The War Powers Resolution to Terminate the Use of U.S. Armed Forces to Engage in Iran

Statement

Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement in support of H.Con.Res. 83, A War Powers Resolution Limiting the President's Military Actions Regarding Iran.

"The Administration's recent actions have gambled with the lives of American servicemen and women and our allies. Without a coherent strategy, such actions represent a dangerous move toward the U.S. engaging in a war that the American people do not want and Congress has not authorized," said Rep. Espaillat.

"Today, we move to reclaim power that the Executive Branch has tried to usurp from Congress and assert our constitutional authority to determine if the country ought to go to war. Our message is loud, and our message is clear. America does not want to go to war with Iran.

"We will not engage in reckless hostilities that endanger American lives, American interests, and American values, and we must continue to assert that without new authorization from Congress, this Administration cannot engage in offensive military actions."

Rep. Espaillat is a cosponsor of H.Con.Res. 83, which directs the President to terminate the use of the United States military in hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorizes them, or the use is necessary to defend against an imminent armed attack on the United States or our armed forces.

The resolution clarifies that it does nothing to prevent the President from coming to Congress for authorization if Iran attacks our allies or partners, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. It also clarifies that it does nothing to prevent the President from using force against al Qaeda or its associated forces.

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