Nadler, Goldman Statement on H.Con.Res.84 Vote

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) Dan Goldman (NY-10) released the following statement following their vote against H.Con.Res.84:

Today we voted no on H.Con.Res.84, a war powers resolution dealing with the current conflict in Lebanon. We opposed this resolution because it would establish a dangerous precedent in the interpretation of the War Powers Resolution, but let us be clear: Our vote today should not be taken as an approval of Prime Minister Netanyahu's prosecution of Israel's military action in Lebanon.

Regardless of the intentions of this resolution, it is predicated upon a premise that is both flawed in its theory and dangerous in its application. The key legal trigger for war powers resolutions is demonstrating that the United States is engaging in "hostilities" in the context of a particular conflict. However, this resolution failed to include even that most basic standard in its drafting. To the extent that American armed forces are present in Lebanon, it is to support the current Lebanese government, which deserves our assistance.

The assertion that general intelligence sharing alone constitutes engaging in "hostilities" is without merit. Critically, implementing such a standard would create a dangerous precedent around the world - implicating the United States in every conflict that includes any party with whom the United States shares intelligence. Such a proposition is as naïve as it is dangerous to American national security and global stability.

Our vote today was not to absolve Netanyahu of responsibility, nor was it to approve of the prosecution of the war in Lebanon. Indeed, when H.Con.Res. 108 - a war powers resolution that targets substantiated "hostilities" that may arise in Lebanon - comes to the floor, we intend to vote in favor.

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