WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting to support the House War Powers Resolution that would have blocked further military action against Iran without congressional authorization.   

“I voted in support of the bipartisan war powers resolution today because I believe war must be authorized by Congress. I also have grave concerns about what is happening in Iran and throughout the Middle East. I am equally disturbed by and vehemently opposed to the authoritarian and autocratic manner in which President Trump unilaterally decided to launch his war of choice nearly a week ago. He did so without congressional authorization and without making the case to the American public. He has yet to provide a coherent rationale, timeline, or plan. The resulting chaos has destabilized the region and taken a toll on U.S. military resources, resulting in the deaths of six American service members already and leaving thousands of American citizens stranded and struggling to get to safety.  

“Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution is clear: Congress holds the exclusive power to declare war. While some of my colleagues have made clear they support the operation, we cannot continue to abdicate our responsibility as Members of Congress and as a co-equal branch of government."
 

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