Washington, D.C. - Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks on the floor, as prepared, during debate on H. Con. Res. 108, the War Powers Resolution to bar U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon.

I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 108. While I voted against a previous iteration of this resolution, I believe this updated version has corrected the flaws of H. Con. Res. 84. The updated text is an important legislative assertion of Congress's Constitutional authority over matters of war and peace that will not infringe upon America's national security interests in Lebanon, while ensuring we stay out of another forever war that is not in our interest.

We consider this resolution in the wake of the recently announced trilateral framework between Lebanon, Israel, and the U.S. I welcome this agreement, which represents a critical step away from continued escalation and violence.

However, what comes next is most critical: ensuring a ceasefire is indeed observed by all, fully disarming Hezbollah, and preserving Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Since the start of Trump's illegal war of choice with Iran, civilians in both Lebanon and Israel have suffered the consequences of continued strikes by both Hezbollah and the Israeli military.

I strongly condemn violence against civilians in all forms and support efforts by both the Israeli and Lebanese governments to ensure the safety and security of their people.

Every government has a right and a responsibility to protect its citizens, and Israel has a right to defend itself. However, this does not justify disproportionate airstrikes which have killed too many civilians, including medical workers and journalists, as well as destroyed civilian infrastructure throughout Lebanon.

As I continue to condemn Hezbollah's drone and rocket fire into Israel, I note with deep concern the Israeli Defense Minister's public pronouncement to destroy all homes in southern Lebanon border villages and, quote, "follow the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza" where the Israeli military systemically destroyed thousands of Palestinian homes and civilian infrastructure. These are not the words of self-defense. They are the language of collective punishment and they must be condemned.

As we look to efforts to de-escalate and move towards peace and stability for both Israelis and Lebanese, I will state for the record that, to my knowledge, U.S. forces are not currently engaged in active hostilities in Lebanon with the Israeli military. Nonetheless, this resolution ensures that does not change without Congressional authorization. We must not enter another illegal, reckless, and counterproductive war in the Middle East.

And while this resolution prohibits U.S. forces from engaging in hostilities in Lebanon, it makes clear it shall not prevent or in any way limit the important mission that U.S. armed forces ARE engaged in with Lebanon. That is, the long-standing training and support of the Lebanese Armed Forces which are critical to Lebanon's stability and that of the region. In my many meetings with both Lebanese and Israeli leaders over the years, I deeply understand and appreciate the importance of supporting and building up Lebanon's Armed Forces - a goal which successive administrations, both Republican and Democratic, have furthered. Protecting that mission, which has enjoyed bipartisan support across administrations, is precisely why this resolution is carefully drafted to preserve it.

This resolution stands on the side of ending forever wars and ensuring U.S. forces are not drawn into hostilities in Lebanon. Any colleague who believes Congress must reassert its Constitutional authority over matters of war and peace should stand with us today. I support this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Thank you, M. Speaker, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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