Press Releases
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar Statement on War Powers Resolution Vote
Washington, DC,
January 9, 2020
“As a Member of Congress, my duty is to protect El Pasoans and defend our nation’s interests. Unfortunately, the reckless and irresponsible actions by President Trump – including pulling out of the successful Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the decision, without Congressional approval, to kill Commander Qasem Soleimani – have endangered our servicemembers, diplomats and American allies, and worked counter to American security interests.
Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on her vote in support of H.Con.Res. 83, a bipartisan resolution directing President Trump pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran: “As a Member of Congress, my duty is to protect El Pasoans and defend our nation’s interests. Unfortunately, the reckless and irresponsible actions by President Trump – including pulling out of the successful Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the decision, without Congressional approval, to kill Commander Qasem Soleimani – have endangered our servicemembers, diplomats and American allies, and worked counter to American security interests. “The absence of a clear strategy toward Iran is dangerous and my concerns have been furthered by the President’s insufficient consultation with Congress as required under the War Powers Resolution and by the Administration’s briefing which failed to demonstrate an imminent threat to our nation. “War with Iran is not an outcome the American people want, and under the Constitution, President Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally wage war. That is why today, in an effort to keep our troops and America safe, I was proud to vote for a resolution directing the President to end hostilities with Iran.” ### |