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Rep Anna Eshoo

Eshoo Calls On House Committee To Prohibit Military Strikes In Iran Without Congressional Authorization

June 12, 2019

Eshoo Leads 55 Bipartisan Members of Congress in Letter to Armed Services Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) led a bipartisan group of 55 Members of Congress urging Chairman Adam Smith and Ranking Member Mac Thornberry of the House Armed Services Committee to include language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prohibiting U.S. offensive military operations against Iran.

"We're concerned about the recent escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran," the Members wrote. "Military action should only be used as a measure of last resort and any decision to do so must first be authorized by Congress which has the sole authority to declare war under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. The Committee should make this clear to President Trump and his national security team."

Last month, the White House deployed 1,500 U.S. troops to the Middle East, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq was partially evacuated, and an aircraft carrier strike group, Air Force bombers, and Patriot missiles were deployed to the Persian Gulf. It was also reported last month that the White House considered military plans against Iran involving as many as 120,000 U.S. troops. The Members' request to the Committee would ensure the Trump administration's escalation of tensions does not lead to military action against Iran without Congressional authorization.

Rep. Eshoo is leading the charge in the House to prevent the Trump Administration from waging war against Iran without authorization from Congress. In April, she introduced H.R. 2354, the Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act, legislation prohibiting the use of any federal funds for military operations in or against Iran without Congressional authorization. H.R. 2354 currently has 59 cosponsors.

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