Kaine Statement on Trump’s Iran War Update

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump's update on the Iran war:

"Tonight, more than a month into an illegal and unwise war against Iran, President Trump decided to finally attempt to offer the American public an explanation. That attempt fell way short. Having apparently learned nothing from 25 years of tragic wars in the Middle East, Trump started this war on his own-without a clear rationale, without a well-considered plan, without the support of allies, and without the constitutionally-required authorization from Congress. And now, with mounting U.S. casualties, rapidly escalating expense, widening chaos in the region, and economic punishment of Americans already burdened by fast-rising energy, health care and housing prices, the President tries to both claim victory and blame others for his own ineptitude.

"American troops always perform bravely and with distinction. But they have been too often betrayed by poor decision-making by civilian leadership, and this sad pattern is repeating itself here.

"The solution is not more war. It's time for Congress to end the President's war-making, remove our troops from harm's way, restore our ties with allies rather than destroy them, prioritize defense and diplomacy rather than juvenile boasting about war, and finally focus on helping Americans here at home by tackling the affordability crisis."

Kaine has been a leading voice against unauthorized wars during his time in the Senate. So far this year, Kaine has helped force three votes in the Senate on War Powers Resolutions to block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities against Iran. Senate Republicans have blocked each resolution.

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