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National Security Freshmen Democrats Reassert Congressional Authority Amid Increased Tensions With Iran

September 18, 2019

Representatives: ‘We will not allow the next generation to be pulled into another endless war because of a reactive foreign policy’

Today, Representatives Jason Crow (CO-06), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Elaine Luria (VA-2), Max Rose (NY-11), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement regarding escalating tensions with Iran following the Saudi oil field attacks. All freshmen Democrats are former members of the military, or veterans of the diplomatic and intelligence community.

"Continued aggression by Iran risks devasting regional conflict. As the situation continues to escalate, we need a cohesive national security strategy that outlines our goals. With multiple positions unfilled at the Pentagon and State Department, the knee-jerk impulses of the President pose substantial risks. Let there be no mistake: the President does not have the authority to go to war with Iran or use­­ preemptive military force without congressional approval.

"Before joining Congress, all of us saw the true cost of war while serving our nation. After 18 years of war, it's the young men and women from our communities that continue to make sacrifices in defense of our nation. We take our responsibilities to those men and women and their families seriously. We must ensure that military force remains the last option while we continue to push the administration to articulate a national security strategy. We will not allow the next generation to be pulled into another endless war because of a reactive foreign policy. Instead of tweeting out tough talk, we urge this administration to treat this situation with the gravity it deserves."