WASHINGTON, DC – On January 9, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) voted in favor of a War Powers Resolution to limit President Trump’s military actions regarding Iran. This resolution reiterates that only Congress can declare war and affirms that Congress has not authorized the use of military force against Iran.

Congress and the American people have no assurance that the President is acting as part of a well thought out strategy to make Americans safer rather than set us on a war path. I am deeply opposed to an unauthorized war with Iran.

My full speech below. pic.twitter.com/fyFZSYOqB6

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) January 9, 2020

“Congress and the American people have no assurance that the President is acting as part of a well-thought-out strategy that makes Americans safer, rather than sets us on a war path. I am deeply opposed to an unauthorized war with Iran. That is why I support this resolution, which reiterates that only Congress can declare war, and that we have not done so here,” said Rep. Maloney in her floor statement yesterday.

The Congresswoman’s full speech is available online: https://twitter.com/RepMaloney/status/1215379467713089538.

A transcript of the speech follows:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution.

Congress has constitutional authority when it comes to one of the most important decisions any of us can make: to send our brave men and women of the Armed Forces into harm’s way in service of our country.

Recent events demonstrate just how important this congressional role is.

When the President decided to strike a high-level Iranian official, he made a decision that was provocative in the strongest sense of the word.

And he did that without any meaningful Congressional consultation.

The information that we have received is woefully insufficient, including the notification and the briefing provided by senior officials yesterday.

Congress and the American people have no assurance that the President is acting as part of a well-thought-out strategy that makes Americans safer, rather than sets us on a war path. I am deeply opposed to an unauthorized war with Iran.

That is why I support this resolution, which reiterates that only Congress can declare war, and that we have not done so here — and I yield back.