Senator Patty Murray's office issued the following yesterday:
Following President Trump’s
escalation of tensions with Iran last month, Senator Murray pushed for
bill to re-assert Congressional authority in decisions of war
Senator Murray:
“Congress has an obligation to ensure a debate, we have an obligation to
press this Administration for a strategy, and check its power if it
doesn’t present a compelling one—which so far, it hasn’t”
ICYMI: “Look
What History has Taught Us”: Senator Murray Speaks to NPR about Her Vote
against the Iraq War and Escalating Tensions with Iran – More HERE
From January: Following Attack on U.S. Forces in Iraq, Senator Murray Demands Congress Have a Say in Decisions of War – MORE HERE
***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY’S SPEECH HERE***
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator
Patty Murray (D-WA) urged her colleagues to join her in supporting
Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) war powers resolution that would require the
president to consult Congress before taking additional action that could
embroil the U.S. in another foreign conflict. The resolution, as well
as Senator Murray’s floor speech, come following President Trump’s
recent escalation of tensions with Iran, including taking unilateral
military action to kill Iran’s Qasem Soleimani, which prompted an
Iranian missile attack on U.S. troops deployed in Iraq. The attack led
to more than 100 U.S. servicemembers being diagnosed with traumatic
brain injuries (TBIs). Senator Murray called on her colleagues to
support the bipartisan legislation, which is expected to be brought up
for a vote on Thursday.
The daughter of a World War II veteran and
Purple Heart recipient, Senator Murray is a cosponsor of the war powers
resolution, and voted against the 2002 authorization of military force
that President Trump has used to justify his actions in the Middle-East
and that the House of Representatives finally repealed two weeks ago.
See some excerpts from Senator Murray’s remarks below:
“I’m glad the President backed down and
decided not to further escalate tensions in recent weeks—as a voice for
my home state of Washington, including all of our servicemembers, and
military families, and communities—but we’re not off the hook, and we
have every reason to believe that Iran may retaliate again.”
“M. President, the American people expect
their representatives, us, to have a say in decisions that may put their
lives or the lives of a loved one at risk. And as the daughter of a
WWII veteran and a Purple Heart recipient—here in the Senate I make
decisions about our national security with deep concern for our brave
servicemembers and their families, a personal understanding of the
sacrifices they make for all of us and our nation, and an unwavering
commitment to ensuring they have the support that they need while they
serve and when they come home.”
“Passing this resolution is the first step
toward protecting our servicemembers and our interests in the region by
removing our troops from hostilities in or against Iran unless there is
a declaration of war or Congressional authorization for the use of
force.”
“In 2002, I voted against the war in Iraq
because I felt the administration was asking us to send our men and
women into harm’s way without clear plan or a goals, and last week, the
House passed legislation to repeal that 2002 AUMF—which is a step in the
right direction towards bringing our brave troops home. The Senate
should stand up and assert our authority to represent our constituents
on this critical issue, too, because as Senators, they are the people to
whom we are all accountable to.”
“Congress has an obligation
to ensure a debate, we have an obligation to press this Administration
for a strategy, and check its power if it doesn’t present a compelling
one—which so far, it hasn’t. Passing this War Powers resolution will
help us do exactly that.”
Watch Senator Murray’s remarks HERE.
Read the full text of Senator Murray’s remarks below:
“M. President, I come to the floor today to
strongly urge all of my colleagues to join Senator Kaine and I want to
thank him for his extremely thoughtful and amazing approach to this. I
think it’s so important that we reassert Congress’s authority in
decisions concerning our nation’s security, and curbing this
Administration’s ability to put our troops in harm’s way without
consulting the American people.
“M. President, following the early January
attack on U.S. troops deployed in Iraq—triggered by President Trump’s
decision to launch a drone strike that killed Iran’s Qasem Soleimani…
“…I know many Americans were frightened—like I was—to watch tensions then with Iran escalate so rapidly, in real-time.
“I’m glad the President backed down and
decided not to further escalate tensions in recent weeks—as a voice for
my home state of Washington, including all of our servicemembers, and
military families, and communities—but we’re not off the hook, and we
have every reason to believe that Iran may retaliate again.
“Which is why I remain deeply disturbed by
President Trump’s rush to incite conflict in ways that could have
significant, negative impacts on our strategic goals in the region—and
more importantly, the long-term safety and security of Americans at home
and abroad.
“To date, neither President Trump nor his
administration has provided any evidence to us here in Congress to
justify his actions…
“And despite reports from the Administration
shortly after the attack that there were no U.S. casualties, we are now
learning that more than 100 servicemembers—one hundred—have been
diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) following that
attack—serious injuries that President Trump dismissed as simply
“headaches.”
“M. President, the American people expect
their representatives, us, to have a say in decisions that may put their
lives or the lives of a loved one at risk…
“And as the daughter of a WWII veteran and a
Purple Heart recipient—here in the Senate I make decisions about our
national security with deep concern for our brave servicemembers and
their families, a personal understanding of the sacrifices they make for
all of us and our nation, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring they
have the support that they need while they serve and when they come
home.
“That’s exactly why our Constitution mandates
that the power to declare war rests with Congress—not the
Commander-in-Chief—because those decisions weren’t meant to be made by
one person alone.
“And that’s why I’m glad my friend from
Virginia, Senator Kaine, is offering this war powers resolution, of
which I am very proud to be a co-sponsor.
“Passing this resolution is the first step
toward protecting our servicemembers and our interests in the region by
removing our troops from hostilities in or against Iran unless there is a
declaration of war or Congressional authorization for the use of force.
“And this isn’t just an issue for Democrats—I’m very proud this resolution has bipartisan support…
“Because no matter what side of the aisle
you’re on, we should all agree that Congress must play a role in our
nation’s foreign policy—as well as matters related to the health and
safety of our servicemembers.
“I am grateful for all those serving in the Middle East and around the world…
“And that’s why I refuse to stand by and
accept they could be put in jeopardy—or that our nation’s foreign policy
and safety could be upended—by an impulsive, late-night tweet.
“So I will continue to demand the President provide his legal justification for the drone strike in Iraq…
“Commit to coming before Congress in advance of any further escalating steps…
“...and explain to us how he will move
forward in the region with the goal of protecting Americans, our allies,
and our interests.
“In the meantime—considering the unique
recklessness of this Administration—it is urgently important for
Congress to pass this resolution to block President Trump’s ability to
start a war with Iran, and ensure that Congress is guaranteed the
opportunity to hear whatever case the President may have before taking a
vote to determine the path that we want our nation to go down.
“In 2002, I voted against the war in Iraq
because I felt the administration was asking us to send our men and
women into harm’s way without clear plan or a goals…
“And last week, the House passed legislation
to repeal that 2002 AUMF—which is a step in the right direction towards
bringing our brave troops home.
“The Senate should stand up and assert our
authority to represent our constituents on this critical issue, too,
because as Senators, they are the people to whom we are all accountable
to.
“We have to be able to look them in the eye
and say we gave questions as grave as decisions concerning war and peace
the deliberation that they warrant, and that we’ve done everything we
can to protect our nation and our servicemembers.
“M. President, you simply can’t do that if
you allow this President or any President to continue conducting foreign
policy by tweet—unchecked.
“So Congress has an obligation to ensure a
debate, we have an obligation to press this Administration for a
strategy, and check its power if it doesn’t present a compelling
one—which so far, it hasn’t.
“Passing this War Powers resolution will help us do exactly that.
“So I strongly urge our colleagues to support this resolution.
“Thank you, M. President—I yield the floor.”
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