Progressive Members Call on POTUS to Utilize Diplomacy, Reject Calls for War with Iran

Progressive Members Call on POTUS to Utilize Diplomacy, Reject Calls for War with Iran

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), James P. McGovern (MA-02), and Greg Casar (TX-35) today issued the following statement following press reports regarding possible U.S. participation in an offensive strike on Iran:

"Let us be clear: we strongly condemn Iran's reprehensible launch of ballistic missiles into Israel. Military force will not solve the challenge posed by Iran. We need meaningful de-escalation and diplomacy-not a wider war. Addressing the root causes are the only route to achieving long-term security and stability in the region. Nothing in current law authorizes the United States to conduct offensive military action against Iran. We risk becoming entangled in another catastrophic war that will inevitably harm innocent civilians and may cost billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars.

"As progressives, we have been consistent in our support for diplomacy and following the law in complying with congressional war powers. We supported President Obama's landmark nuclear diplomacy, which successfully limited Iran's nuclear program multilaterally before it was sabotaged by President Trump's misguided 'maximum pressure' strategy. Similarly, we rejected Trump's reckless push for war and passed bipartisan legislation through both chambers of Congress to prevent unauthorized U.S. force against Iran, following the reckless assassination of Iranian General Soleimani."