Risch: Democrats’ Attempt to Stop President Trump’s Action in Iran Harms American Interests

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today spoke on the Senate Floor against Democrats' dangerous proposal to stop President Trump's defensive actions against Iran. If passed, this resolution would pull U.S. troops out of the Middle East, endangering our servicemembers and American interests at home and abroad.

Click HERE to read the Chairman's remarks or read highlights of his speech below.

"Every single president, Democrat and Republican, has refused to say that the War Powers Act is constitutional. They have always said that it infringes on the president's Article II constitutional authorities to defend the American people, and to complete the oath they've taken to defend the country."

"45 of the last 47 presidents have ordered kinetic acts just like President Trump has done, without going to Congress. This isn't new...The Constitution, Article II, clearly gives the president not only the right, but, indeed, the duty, as does his oath, to protect the United States..."

"Over these 47 years, while the Arab countries have moved towards peace and security in the region, Iran has continued to murder thousands of Americans...The Arab countries want nothing to do with this, and we're going to deal with a different Middle East than what we have today. Today, I am more optimistic than I have ever been about the Middle East. I really believe that when we end this and the Iranian regime is brought down, we are going to have a Middle East that is going to be very peaceful, and it's going to be a different Middle East as we go forward..."

"The message to the regime that I would have today for them is that no one is coming to help. China's not coming. Russia's not coming. North Korea's not coming. Cuba's not coming. Venezuela's not coming. They are not coming to help you, Iran. No one is coming, but there is one entity left that is trying to help you, Iranian regime. And that's my Democratic friends over here...But we're going to end that now..."

"To our brave men and women, I say, you're fighting to accomplish the task and the objectives that the President, our Commander in Chief, has given you. We are proud of you. We are about to help you. Know this-we have your back."

These remarks have been lightly edited for clarity.

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