Brownley Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran

Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement on the strikes against Iran:

"Donald Trump's decision to launch strikes against Iran without Congressional authorization is a blatant violation of the Constitution and a dangerous abuse of executive power.

"This reckless escalation comes after his unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He has never presented a coherent strategy to confront Iran's malign activities. As a result, the United States and our allies are less safe today.

"Preemptive U.S. military action against Iran not only endangers our troops, it risks further destabilizing an already volatile region and igniting a broader conflict. By launching these strikes, Donald Trump has thrust the United States into war without approval from Congress. These strikes are outside the scope of his authority and put our nation and our allies at serious risk.

"Iran's regime represses its own people, sponsors terrorism, fuels regional violence, and poses real threats to U.S. interests and our allies. But those realities do not erase the Constitution or grant any President the power to sidestep Congress.

"The American people do not want another open-ended war. Congress must assert its constitutional authority immediately."

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Issues: 119th Congress, Defense, Military, National Security