Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Ahead Of Vote To Reassert Congressional Authority Over Iran War

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor ahead of a vote to reassert congressional authority over the ability to go to war and rein in Trump's chaotic military actions in Iran. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks:

This war has dragged on for long enough.

It is long past time for it to come to an end.

And today, with this resolution, the Senate must assert its power on matters of war and peace.

This is the third time-the third time-that Republicans have been given a chance to do the right thing and end this war. It is the third time, though, they stick their heads in the sand and pretend this war does not exist. But the war is expanding, and the Senate has an obligation to step in.

I say to my Republican colleagues: if there was ever a time to stand up for the authority of the Senate, stand up for the powers given to us through the Constitution, the time is now.

Thirteen American servicemen have been killed.

Thousands more injured. Energy prices have again soared above $100 a barrel, and now, the Wall Street Journal reports that the Pentagon will deploy another 3,000 soldiers from the 82^nd Airborne.

Enough. The War Powers Act allows questions to be asked, allows the public to be drawn into the discussion. That's the way to end endless wars, not to tell no one what's going on, not to keep it secret and not to give anybody else authority. That's a loser. It will be a loser for the American people.

The American people are tired of sending our sons and daughters to fight endless wars. Americans are exasperated every time they go to the gas station and pay $4 a gallon.

They are tired of Donald Trump making outrageous and deluded statements, like saying that he both does have a plan and does not have a plan. This is someone who is leading the war effort? Someone who changes their mind every day and can't answer the question of what's the goal here? What's the end game? How much does it cost?

So enough is enough. Donald Trump does not have the authority to wage this war without the explicit authority from Congress. I thank Senator Murphy for pushing this resolution, I am proud to support it, and I urge some of my Republican colleagues to vote yes.

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