Representative Tran Asserts Constitutional Authority Over Military Action in Iran

Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) issued a statement following his vote on H.Con.Res 38, a War Powers Resolution to block further executive military action in Iran without Congressional authorization:

"Today, I voted to assert Congress's Constitutional powers over war-making. I have grave concerns that the Trump Administration's impulsive, unilateral military actions, without the consent of the American people, are further destabilizing an already volatile region.

"Six heroic service members have already been killed because the President failed to act with transparency, measured diplomacy, and thoughtful justification. Congress cannot wait one more day to rein in this Administration's recklessness and protect the lives of our troops.

"There is no question that the Iranian regime is a malign actor - an oppressor of its people and state-sponsor of terrorism - but the Administration has failed to provide a meaningful justification necessitating the immediate use of military force. All diplomatic options must be exhausted to ensure that the Iranian people can achieve freedom and democracy without the consequences of a ruinous war.

"No government decision is more solemn, and no issue is more deserving of public debate, than the act of committing American lives to armed conflict. Our children will be left with the global consequences of this endeavor and saddled with a multi-billion-dollar debt. My vote for this War Powers Resolution sends a clear message: we will not accept more forever wars."

On February 28, 2026, President Trump conducted a unilateral, offensive attack on Iran in conjunction with Israeli forces, an operation that has thus far resulted in the deaths of six American servicemembers. H.Con.Res 38 would direct the President to remove U.S. armed forces from unauthorized hostilities in Iran and reassert Congressional authority over declarations of war.

Serving his first term in Congress, Representative Tran serves on the powerful House Armed Services Committee, overseeing the Department of Defense. Following offensive U.S. military actions against Iran conducted without Congressional oversight in June 2025, Tran cosponsored a Congressional war powers resolutionreaffirming that Congress, not the executive branch, reserves the right to declare war. He also voted in favor of H.Con.Res 61 and H.Con.Res 64,two War Powers Resolutions introduced in response to the Trump Administration's unsanctioned strikes against alleged Venezuelan cartel vessels in the Caribbean Sea. Tran serves as a co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus National Security Task Force,bringing together expertise in Congress to develop policy solutions to the most pressing national security challenges facing our country. Representative Tran enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 18 and served for eight years. He was activated for Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom before earning an honorable discharge.

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California's 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.