Cantwell, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action Against Iran
Cantwell: “We do not need to start another war”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and other Democratic colleagues to introduce the No War Against Iran Act, legislation that would prohibit spending federal funds for the use of any military force in or against Iran without a congressional declaration of war, or other statutory authorization consistent with the War Powers Resolution.
“The U.S. Constitution is clear: the president cannot go to war without the authorization of Congress. President Trump needs to follow the law, and Congress needs to hold him accountable,” Cantwell said at a press conference this morning. “We need a strategy to deal with Iran, and this involves our allies and diplomatic solutions for the region. We do not need to start another war.”
“Congress will use the power of the purse to stop from putting our men, women, and children in harm’s way,” Cantwell continued.
In addition to Cantwell and Sanders, the No War Against Iran Act is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) has introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives with 58 cosponsors.
A measure to prohibit funds for an unconstitutional war with Iran passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year with bipartisan support from 251 members, though it was later stripped from the National Defense Authorization Act enacted in December.
Video from Senator Cantwell’s remarks is available HERE, and audio can be found HERE.
The full text of the bill is available HERE.
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