Congresswoman McCollum Reiterates Strong Opposition to War in Iran

Mr. Speaker, I rise to restate my strong opposition to President Trump’s unlawful and unconstitutional decision to order U.S. military strikes on Iran on February 28. His actions have entered our nation into war without any imminent threat posed by Iran to the United States and lacking necessary Congressional authorization.

With each day, it becomes more apparent that President Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran was a political choice, not a strategic necessity.  It is also clear that he has no plan to account for the quickly rising costs for his war of choice.

The President is now reportedly seeking $200 billion in supplemental funding from Congress for his war -- an astounding amount that far surpasses the costs of the war that have been reported during the past four weeks.  Additionally, Congress is still waiting for the administration to fully explain where it is spending the additional $150 billion in funding that the Pentagon received through the Republicans’ reconciliation package that cut taxes for billionaires at the expense of health care and food assistance programs.  Congress also awaits the president’s budget request for this year – which is nearly two months overdue.

Let me be clear – I will not write blank checks to the Department of Defense.

Here at home, Americans are also paying for this war through higher prices at the gas pump – prices that continue to rise as attacks expand to critical energy infrastructure and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The national average price is up by $1 more per gallon since the war began. When gas prices go up, so does the price of everything else.  If the American people are being asked to pay for this war, then they deserve clear answers from President Trump on why he chose to attack Iran, what objectives justify continued military engagement, and what guardrails are in place to prevent a broader or protracted regional war.

Unfortunately, the Trump administration’s rationale for the strikes keeps shifting. First, it was about destroying Iran’s nuclear program, despite declaring last June that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “totally obliterated” – a claim Trump repeated in February. Then it was about regime change.  Then we heard from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the reason to launch the war was because Israel was going to attack Iran first.  When that rationale was retracted, Americans were told it was about destroying Iran’s ballistic missiles and military industrial base. For America to be engaged in large scale conflict overseas for nearly a month – with no clarity for Congress or the American public about why – is shocking, unacceptable, and unprecedented in our history.

In 2002, I was one of 133 members of the House of Representatives to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution.  While I opposed that war from the beginning, President Bush did what President Trump has failed to do -- follow the law and the Constitution and explain his rationale, albeit deeply flawed, for taking our nation to war.  There was a monthslong national debate about military action in Iraq, and Congress held hearings, debated the resolution, and voted to approve the operation before President Bush launched the first strikes on Iraq. With respect to Iran, President Trump has denied the American public and the Congress this same process that the Constitution requires. 

No one deserves answers more than our U.S. servicemembers and their families.  At least 13 courageous service men and women who volunteered to serve their country have given their lives in this conflict, including my constituent, Master Sergeant Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota.  At least 200 others have been injured.   

Our U.S. servicemembers are serving with a profound sense of duty to our country. For this, all Americans should be grateful. For this, all Americans should be united to support them.  The family members and loved ones of our brave troops are also enduring tremendous sacrifices that can never be repaid. For the selfless Americans who sacrificed their lives and bodies in service to our country, we must always remember them and always fulfill the promises we have made to our veterans and their families.

By any measure, America's war in Iraq was a strategic and human tragedy that must not be repeated. As President Trump commits our nation to another serious conflict in the Middle East, this time with Iran, the American people must not be fooled, not be driven by fear, and not yield to another expensive and painful war of choice.  While I have clearly stated my disagreement with this war in Iran, I strongly believe that we must stand united in supporting U.S. service members and their families.  We pray that they complete their orders and return home safely and soon. 

I yield back.