Rep. Balint Votes for War Powers Resolution to Rein in Trump’s Military Actions in Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) today released the following statement after voting for the War Powers Resolution that would rein in the President's use of military force in Iran (H. Con. Res. 38) and to re-affirm Iran remains the largest state sponsor of terrorism (H. Res. 1099):

"The Iranian people have suffered under a brutal and oppressive authoritarian regime for decades. Iran is the primary state sponsor of several terrorist organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah. Condemning Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism does not authorize the President to start an illegal war.

"Two things can be true at once: the regime in Iran should be condemned, and there continues to be no good case being made to Congress that there was an imminent threat to us or our interests that warranted troops being put in harm's way. Congress makes the decision on if we should go to war, not the President. That is why I also voted for today's War Powers Resolution, which would require the Trump administration to get congressional approval to continue their military actions in Iran.

"It seems Republicans are desperate to abdicate their authority and grasp at straws that excuse the administration's dangerous, illegal attack that has already resulted in the tragic loss of six service members. They have failed to learn from history and are continuing to repeat their deeply unpopular playbook of cutting taxes for the rich and starting wars in the Middle East. Americans do not want to be dragged into another endless war in the Middle East, and I will continue to do everything in my power to hold this administration accountable to the People and to the Constitution."

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