Washington, D.C. – Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), along with CPC Peace and Security Task Force Chair Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), released the following statement urging the Trump Administration to de-escalate heightened tensions with Iran:
“We are alarmed by recent Trump Administration actions heightening the risk of a military escalation with Iran. The American people – and our brave service members – are still paying the price for the Iraq War, our last ill-advised, open-ended war built on a foundation of lies and bad intelligence. Sixteen years after that fateful decision, some 5,000 American troops remain stationed in Iraq. The Iraq War led to the deaths, injuries and displacement of millions of people, and unleased violence that continues to roil the region today. Let’s not repeat those mistakes by rushing to war once again in Middle East.
“Make no mistake: when President Trump empowered reckless interventionists like John Bolton to make key national security decisions, he opened the door for another endless war. Iran’s announcement that it will no longer be bound by certain limits on its nuclear program is a predictable outcome of President Trump’s irresponsible decision to withdraw from the landmark Iran nuclear accord one year ago.
“Despite the rhetoric form the Trump Administration, the fact remains that Congress has not authorized a war with Iran. President Trump must come to us to seek approval of any use of military force. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we fulfill our constitutional responsibility to serve as a check on this presidency. We must act to stop a reckless and unnecessary military confrontation with Iran.”
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