Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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

Headline: Moolenaar Statement on President Trump's State of the Union Address

Tonight, President Trump delivered his State of the Union Address to a Joint Session of Congress. Congressman John Moolenaar attended the speech and made the following statement in reaction: 

“President Trump delivered a powerful message in recognition of our nation’s 250th birthday and our renewed commitment to preserving the American dream for future generations. After struggling for years to make ends meet under the previous administration, the American people are finally starting to see relief with inflation cooling from record highs, and historic tax cuts for working families in Michigan,” said Moolenaar. “The President spoke clearly about our work to secure investment into our nation and workers, reinvigorate American industry, bring in good jobs, and allow us to innovate. His address also emphasized the important work of our law enforcement agencies to secure our border and remove criminal illegal immigrants from our communities. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership abroad, the United States is stronger today than it was before he retook office, and our military is more capable than ever to deter our adversaries.”

“I will continue my work with the Trump administration to advance policies that improve the lives of Michigan families, and put our nation first.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on President Trump’s military operation against Iran:

“President Trump’s self-described war against Iran risks dragging America into another costly conflict in the Middle East with no transparency, debate, or backing from the American people.

“I have no illusions about the Iranian regime, which has killed Americans, instigated violence against our allies, and destabilized the region for decades. But even when facing a dangerous adversary, any war that sends our service members into harm’s way must be approved by Congress.

“The president’s actions are putting the lives of U.S. troops and innocent civilian at risk. I am praying for their safety and for everyone affected by this escalation.

“Congress must now do its job and immediately vote on the Iran War Powers Resolution, which I plan to support. We need specific public objectives, legal rationale, and clear justification for the president’s military actions. The American people deserve transparency before our nation is pulled into to another full-blown war.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement on Operation Epic Fury:

“For nearly fifty years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proven itself to be utterly committed to violence, chaos, and instability. Iran and its terrorist proxies have repeatedly attacked US forces and our allies in the region.

“The United States, along with the support from many of our allies around the world, will no longer allow this regime to wreak havoc at will. The Trump Administration made every diplomatic effort to resolve this matter, and still, the Ayatollah refused. May he and his tyrannical regime now reap the consequences, and may the Iranian people finally have the ability to take control of their own future.

“As the President stated, Operation Epic Fury is a clear and necessary action to raze the Iranian ballistic missile industry to the ground, annihilate the Ayatollah’s navy, and ensure Iranian terrorism and nuclear threats can no longer destabilize the globe. The multiple statements of support from across the Western world illustrate the importance of this action.

“I ask everyone to join me in praying for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have answered the call of duty to keep us safe.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) released the following statement on Trump’s military action in Iran:

“Overnight, Trump started an illegal war without approval from Congress and against the wishes of the American people.

“This war will bring needless death and destruction – risking American lives and civilian casualties.

“This is a pure war of aggression. Iran poses no imminent threat. And by insisting on regime change, it promises to start a long war like the war in Iraq. If Donald Trump wanted to go to war, he should have gone to Congress first and convince the American people and their representatives that the cause is worthy of the expenditure of American blood and treasure.

“Trump campaigned on ending forever wars, and he may just have started one.

“These attacks are not about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. How do we know? 

“A) Because the President said we had previously obliterated it. 

“B) Because the Iranians have continually said that they didn’t want a nuclear weapon and were willing to negotiate an inspection regime that would guarantee that. 

“C) Because we have a record of the Obama administration successfully negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran that included robust inspections and safeguards against the development of a nuclear weapon, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which Trump tore up upon taking office. Just because Trump failed to secure an agreement of his own, doesn’t mean the United States should go to war. 
 
“Furthermore, by ignoring Congress Trump is continuing his long march toward authoritarianism. This is yet another presidential usurpation of power leading to an authoritarian regime. Because only Congress has the power to declare war, and it is now up to us to stop it.

“Congress must do everything in our power to stop Trump from continuing his illegal war. We must bring up a War Powers resolution immediately. I will vote to pass the resolution to bring an end to these illegal attacks, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s “major military operations” and calls for regime change in Iran:

“Trump is plunging us into another war in the Middle East. He’s learned nothing from decades of failed conflicts. It’s a war of choice with no clear end game, no authorization from Congress, and little support from Americans.

“I went to war three times for this country and learned that when elites in Washington bang the war drums, working class folks pay the price. The tough talk of a five-time draft dodger falls flat for Americans tired of military adventurism. Americans want us out of the regime change business.

“Endless war has cost us thousands of lives and trillions of dollars. Meanwhile, Americans are struggling to pay for health care, groceries, and housing.

“This Administration owes Congress and Americans answers. Congress should return to Washington immediately to vote on the War Powers Resolution and ensure the safety of our servicemembers.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. military strike against Iran:

“Overnight, President Trump launched a massive attack against Iran, urged a regime change, and destabilized the entire Middle East region. Already, Iran has retaliated against U.S. military facilities across the region, but President Trump has made it clear that he’s willing to lose U.S. military lives as something that ‘often happens in war.’ Since bombing Iran last June, President Trump has not made clear any imminent threat that Iran poses to the United States. 

“This self-proclaimed ‘Peace President’ makes our country more vulnerable. He must answer to the American people and justify why he endangered the lives of our military troops and potentially entered us into another costly, prolonged war in the Middle East. Congress must pass the War Powers Resolution Act, since this President cannot initiate military action without Congressional approval.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement regarding the launch of Operation Epic Fury:

“For five decades, the Iranian regime has terrorized its own people, threatened regional stability, and pursued weapons of mass destruction in defiance of the international community.

“Decades of sanctions imposed bilaterally and by the United Nations have failed to stop Iran’s destructive ambitions. Years of intensive but ultimately futile negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program accomplished nothing and were rightly rejected by bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate at the end of the Obama Administration.

“Each year that I have served in the House, I have spoken directly to the Iranian people, most recently at the Organization of Iranian American Communities event on Capitol Hill in December, where I again condemned the brutality of the Iranian regime and stood with all Iranians fighting for a democratic, secular, non-nuclear republic.

“I have long been a steadfast advocate for the people of Iran. In the last Congress, my bill—the Holding Iranian Leaders Accountable Act—was signed into law to expose the regime’s financial corruption, and this year I cosponsored a bipartisan resolution condemning the regime’s terrorism and supporting the Iranian people’s call for democratic change.

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently consulted with regional leaders in the Gulf and in our ally Israel about the Iranian threat and the importance of standing together against terror, aggression, and a nuclear-armed Iran.

“I pray for our servicemembers as they carry out these operations, for our allies in the region, and for the Iranian people. May this be the dawn of a new day for the Iranian people and a step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, after the United States launched what President Trump called a “major military operation” in Iran, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement:

“President Trump has launched an unlawful war with Iran despite no imminent threat to the United States, no long-term strategy, no support from the American public, and no authorization from Congress. The House of Representatives must immediately take a vote on H.Con.Res. 38, a War Powers Resolution that I cosponsor to halt all military operations in Iran without Congressional authorization,” said Rep. Chu

“The Iranian regime is brutal, repressive, and has denied Iranians freedom and dignity for generations. These facts alone do not give President Trump the authority to unilaterally launch a major, pre-emptive military operation which puts so many lives at risk. Americans have already seen this playbook fail in Iraq and Afghanistan, at enormous cost.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-founder and co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement on Iran:

“This morning, American service members are in harm’s way — including the enlisted sailors who earned their place in uniform at Naval Station Great Lakes in my district, and reserve soldiers from the 337th MI Battalion whom I helped send off earlier this month as they deployed to the region. As they execute their mission, we are all praying for their success and safe return to their families.

“Our Constitution explicitly gives Congress the exclusive power to declare war. The President of the United States is not allowed to take our nation to war without authorization from Congress. Speaker Johnson should immediately call the House back into session. The Administration must provide Congress with comprehensive classified briefings to understand the threat that justified today’s actions, the goals of the operation, and the strategy for achieving these goals. We need public hearings in House committees. We need formal public debate in the House and the Senate. 

“Since its founding in 1979, Iran has threatened its neighbors and chanted ‘Death to Israel, Death to America.’ The Iranian regime today is an existential threat to our allies in the Gulf and Israel, as well as a serious threat to U.S. interests in the region and around the world, and national security here at home. Heaven forbid Iran were to ever obtain a nuclear weapon. 

“The world must work together to block and then permanently close any pathway for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. We must address Iran’s development of ballistic missiles and its support for terrorist proxies around the world. The people of Iran are not our enemy, and we should help them free themselves from the oppression of this terrorist regime. The massacre of tens of thousands of Iranian citizens last month fully exposed the evil of the regime: the world will be a better place when it is gone.

“Given this Administration’s failure to engage Congress in classified briefings, public hearings, and formal debate, I will vote to support the War Powers Resolution coming to the floor of the House next week.

“This is a moment of peril and opportunity. Congress must step up to meet the moment, fulfill its constitutional duties, and ensure American action—with our allies in the region and around the world—leads to a more stable and peaceful Middle East, not another generational entanglement ending in failure.”

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