Washington, D.C. — As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote on a war powers resolution to limit the Trump administration’s actions on Iran, Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
This resolution is an important step in preventing President Trump from taking the United States further down the path toward war with Iran. It would help restore Congress’ constitutional role in deciding war and peace and limit the president’s ability to act unilaterally. If the administration believes that hostilities against Iran should be restarted, the measure would require the White House to make the case to Congress and the American people and persuade a majority of lawmakers to vote to authorize such hostilities, which is consistent with Congress’ Constitutional role.
The Trump administration should have pursued this course before the president authorized the killing of Iran’s top general. President Trump’s refusal to consult with Congress and his go-it-alone strategy has made the world a more dangerous place. Once the resolution has passed the House, the Senate should swiftly follow suit.
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