Crow Calls for Accountability on War with Iran
WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO)—a combat veteran and Co-Chair of House Democrats’ National Security Task Force, and a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence—today called on Congress to rein in President Trump’s military adventurism and war in Iran.
Crow spoke at the weekly House Democratic Caucus press conference alongside Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu, and fellow House Democratic veterans.
Watch Congressman Crow’s remarks here, and find a transcript of them below.
In his remarks, Crow said:
“After trillions of dollars, thousands of American lives, decades of endless conflict, my entire adult life, a quarter of a century of American war, here we go again.
“Donald Trump campaigned on ending the wars because he knew, at the time, that that's what Americans wanted, and still want. And yet, here we go again.
“I learned when I was fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan that when elites in Washington bang the war drums, pound their chest, talk about the costs of war, and act tough, they're not talking about them doing it. They're not talking about their kids or their billionaire donors picking up rifles, jumping into planes, jumping into helicopters. They're talking about working-class kids like us.
“They're talking about those in small towns and farms and ranches across the country that have to actually do the work, that have to fight and die, and the American people that have to pay for all of it. Americans have had enough.
“Now, don't get us wrong. We believe in American strength. We believe in American engagement. We believe that America has a role to play in the world, and we will not hesitate to use our military and our strength to protect Americans and to protect our vital interests when it's necessary. But it's very clear in this instance that there is no imminent threat. And this is a war of choice by Donald Trump.
“There's a lot of talk and discussion in D.C. sometimes about notification requirements and process and procedure and what the Constitution requires. And I understand that a lot of Americans who are just trying to raise families and build businesses don't immerse themselves in these debates. But I'll tell you why that is important, why what we're talking about resuming our control is important. Because it's about accountability.
“It's not simply just about our interest in being involved in notifying. It’s about accountability. Because nobody is going to sit here and tell me that after 20 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, failed military endeavors, that if this Congress hadn't been forced to debate and vote and finance year after year and to take the accountability for this and to put the American people back in the driver's seat for these conflicts, that they wouldn't have ended sooner or differently.
“That's what this is about. Putting the American people back in the driver's seat to decide when they want to finance these wars, when they are willing to send their sons and daughters to fight and die for our interests.
“We will be relentless in pursuing that accountability and that transparency and putting the American people back in the driver's seat for the most important decision that their government can make.”
###