Scott Statement on Trump’s War with Iran

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on President Trump’s military action against Iran:

“President Trump was elected on a promise to end forever conflicts and regime change wars. He has done the opposite. Early this morning, he announced a major military operation against Iran without authorization from Congress. By the President’s own admission, this operation will endanger U.S. personnel and this action risks drawing the U.S. and our allies into a wider conflict. 

“The Iranian regime brutalizes their own people and funds many terrorist groups throughout the Middle East. However, we know from the failures of the 2003 War in Iraq what can happen when we lack a clearly defined endgame that prevents the U.S. from being drawn into another quagmire. We previously reached a diplomatic solution that would have avoided war and prevented Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon when President Obama successfully negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. This agreement was broadly supported by the international community and Iran was complying until President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018. We would not be in this mess now if the President had not withdrawn from that agreement.”

“There were renewed talks with Iran that showed a diplomatic path remained open which President Trump abandoned in favor of military hostilities that put American lives in danger. The Constitution is clear. The decision to go to war requires Congressional authorization.”