Rep. Panetta’s Statement on Blocked Iran War Powers Resolution

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) issued the following statement after Republicans blocked a war powers resolution he cosponsored to end the War in Iran:

“Now more than ever, Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority over the Iran War. Speaker Mike Johnson has abdicated Congress’s role and failed to exercise any oversight over this Administration, which has given President Donald Trump free rein to conduct a military campaign in Iran based on an incoherent and inconsistent strategy.

“This war not only has violated the U.S. Constitution, but also led to the loss of lives of U.S. servicemembers as well as driven up prices on fuel and food for working families across the country. Although I appreciate a temporary cessation of hostilities, the President’s deal with the Iranian regime is unsustainable, hasn’t opened up the Strait of Hormuz, does little to solve the underlying security issues that started this war, and fails to include a strategy going forward.

“Today, Speaker Johnson failed to recognize a Congressional war powers resolution over the Iran War. He refuses to allow Congress to address what I believe is about to be the least debated war in American history. Although the resolution was blocked, I continue to call on Speaker Johnson to bring the House back into session so that we can debate this war and restore Congress’s constitutional authorities to permanently end this war.”

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