Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Washington, D.C.— U.S Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) released the following statement in response to Trump’s declaration of War on Iran.   

“Trump has declared war on Iran without exhausting nonviolent alternatives, without a long-term plan, and without any legal authorization,” said Rep. Doggett. “Wasting billions in a destabilizing bloody conflict, even though directed at a despicable regime, he imperils the lives of Americans and innocent civilians throughout the region.  Choosing war is not “peace through strength;” it only distracts from his many failures here at home. With war so much easier to get into than to get out of, every member of Congress can vote this week to restrain Trump by adopting a bipartisan war powers resolution.

The fall of Saddam Hussein’s statue in Baghdad was the beginning, not the end of chaos in Iraq that led to 4,000 American deaths and cost $2 trillion.  Iran is almost 4 times larger than Iraq with a much stronger military. Iran also has much greater capability for deadly retaliation. Ignoring the lessons from Bush’s war, this unprovoked US/Israeli attack endangers us all.  Trump again sends a message to other authoritarians Putin and Xi that war is a tool for the powerful to use whenever they choose” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Kustoff released the following statement in response to Operation Epic Fury and the escalating threat posed by the Iranian regime:

“For decades, the Iranian regime has led a sustained campaign of violence against the United States and our allies. It has armed proxy forces that have killed and wounded Americans, targeted our embassies and military installations, and threatened our homeland. As Iran continued to advance its nuclear program while driving conflict across the region, a response became unavoidable.

Operation Epic Fury makes clear that attacks on Americans and our allies will not go unanswered. I thank President Trump for taking decisive action to defend our national security. I stand with our armed forces as they confront a regime whose terrorism and nuclear ambitions endanger the United States and undermine global stability.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

I am closely monitoring the events across the Middle East and praying for our troops, allies, and civilians across the region. 

Iran’s government is a brutal dictatorship that has violated human rights and is the most significant state sponsor of terrorism across the globe. The regime poses a grave threat to our allies in the region. However, the laws of this nation do not give the President the authority – without Congressional authorization – to send American servicemembers into another war that endangers countless lives.

The Trump Administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately. If this Administration has conclusive intelligence truly demonstrating that Iran is within days of being able to produce a nuclear weapon, then they must prove that. They owe the nation an ironclad justification for this act of war and a clear strategy to protect American lives and prevent a costly war, especially as Americans are struggling to get by in their everyday lives.

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Trump’s War with Iran

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on President Trump’s military action against Iran:

“President Trump was elected on a promise to end forever conflicts and regime change wars. He has done the opposite. Early this morning, he announced a major military operation against Iran without authorization from Congress. By the President’s own admission, this operation will endanger U.S. personnel and this action risks drawing the U.S. and our allies into a wider conflict. 

“The Iranian regime brutalizes their own people and funds many terrorist groups throughout the Middle East. However, we know from the failures of the 2003 War in Iraq what can happen when we lack a clearly defined endgame that prevents the U.S. from being drawn into another quagmire. We previously reached a diplomatic solution that would have avoided war and prevented Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon when President Obama successfully negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. This agreement was broadly supported by the international community and Iran was complying until President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018. We would not be in this mess now if the President had not withdrawn from that agreement.”

“There were renewed talks with Iran that showed a diplomatic path remained open which President Trump abandoned in favor of military hostilities that put American lives in danger. The Constitution is clear. The decision to go to war requires Congressional authorization.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) released the following statement on Operation Epic Furry, the U.S. military operation in Iran:

“The Iranian regime has set the table for Operation Epic Furry through their forty-seven years of state sponsored terrorism and murder of American citizens. The Iranian regime has continued their pursuit of “death to America” through their continued development of nuclear weapons capable of striking America.

“Tens of thousands of Iranian people have been violently murdered by the Iranian regime for seeking freedom and basic human rights. It’s clear: this evil regime seeks to kill and must be obliterated.

“The President, and many before him, have given Iran every opportunity to make a deal for peace to end this long conflict, but the Iranian regime has time and time again refused. Now, the hour of freedom is at hand. 

“For the freedom of the Iranian people, and the safety and security of the entire world, I stand behind President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and our U.S. military servicemen and women. 

“Our world is safer with President Trump as Commander in Chief. Today, and every day, I pray for our troops and the Iranian freedom fighters.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

ATLANTA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) released the following statement:

“The regime change attack on Iran is a declaration of war by Trump and Netanyahu. Only Congress has the authority to declare war, so this is also an attack on the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. I strongly condemn this war of choice, and I call upon Republicans who control Congress to immediately call members back to Washington to exercise our constitutional responsibilities.”
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Oversight Committee, issued the following statement:

“By ignoring the limits of his own constitutional power, Donald Trump is risking the lives of Americans in an unauthorized war with no end in sight.

It’s clear — the American people do not want war. The President’s reckless decision to strike Iran puts our service members in harm’s way, jeopardizes regional stability, and risks drawing the United States into yet another forever conflict. By calling this action a war, the President has made clear that he has once again overstepped his authority. The power to go to war is reserved for Congress and Congress alone. As such, I will be voting in support of the War Powers Resolution to rein in this unaccountable President.

In the meantime, I am praying for the safety of our service members.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

EVANSTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s announcement of wide-ranging military strikes inside Iran:

“The American people overwhelmingly do not want another war in the Middle East, and the last thing our country needs is to be drawn into a conflict that would cost lives and destabilize the region.

“President Trump’s announcement of ‘major combat operations’ was not authorized by Congress, and I fully support a bipartisan War Powers resolution to reclaim our constitutional authority over matters of war.

“I fought for and continue to defend the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which proved that diplomacy, not war, can constrain Iran’s nuclear program and keep Americans safe. Abandoning that approach in favor of reckless escalation puts lives, security, and regional stability at risk.

“We must return to diplomacy, uphold Congress’s authority, and prioritize the safety of U.S. service members and civilians above all else.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Statement on Combat Operations in Iran

Last night, President Donald J. Trump announced he authorized combat operations against the Iranian regime. Congressman John Moolenaar released the following statement:

“For nearly five decades, the Iranian regime targeted Americans and our allies, oppressed its people, funded terrorist activity around the world, and sought to develop a nuclear weapon. After Operation Midnight Hammer, those ambitions were destroyed, but the regime attempted to rebuild its capabilities. President Trump gave the Ayatollah a clear warning: dismantle your missile program or face further destruction. The regime ignored those warnings with plans to develop an ICBM that could reach the United States. God bless the brave members of the United States Armed Forces and I pray for their safety.”