Congresswoman Simon Votes to Stop President Trump’s Illegal Military Actions in Iran, Opposes Another Open-Ended War in the Middle East

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) voted for H.Con.Res. 38, Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran to stop President Trump's illegal military actions in Iran. Following the vote, she released the following statement:

"The President's military actions in Iran are unlawful, unwanted by most Americans, and deeply dangerous for the future of our nation. Today, I voted for a bipartisan War Powers Resolution that would force the President to stop all military action. But this vote is not enough.

"The Administration said itself that there was no imminent threat from Iran. There have been no serious attempts at diplomacy. There has been no accountability for the disappearance, torture and killing of thousands of Iranians at the hands of the Iranian regime.

"This President acted unilaterally, disobeying what is clearly stated in the Constitution - that Congress has the sole power to declare war. Even more alarming, this Administration seems to have no strategic plan or respect for the economic or human cost of this war. Six American Servicemembers have already been killed, and I am deeply terrified of the possibility of more lives lost in an open-ended war led by an erratic man who puts his own interests above those of our nation. Congress must not appropriate another dime for this war.

"We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past, we cannot senselessly risk human life without a clear plan or exit strategy, and we cannot fracture our democracy more with another devastating war. Militarization has never been the path forward, and funding bombs instead of schools, full bellies, housing has never been the solution."

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