Ranking Member McCollum: President Trump's War in Iran is a Strategic and Diplomatic Failure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on Wednesday in response to President Trump’s address to the nation:

“President Trump’s war in Iran is a strategic and diplomatic failure. His actions have made the Middle East more unstable. Thousands of civilians throughout the region are dying. And yet, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu show no signs of stopping. 

“President Trump’s decision to take our nation to war with Iran was his choice, and his choice alone. He failed to consult Congress or our allies. Now, he’s asking Americans for an additional $200 billion to finance this conflict without explaining why this astounding amount of taxpayer funding is necessary. 

“Tonight, the president resorted to repeating falsehoods and his shifting rationale for his war of choice. His bizarre declaration that the Strait of Hormuz will open ‘naturally’ indicates that he has no plan to achieve a diplomatic agreement that ends his war, re-opens this vital waterway, and secures peace for the region.”