Washington, DC – In response to today’s vote to override the president’s veto in the Senate, Foreign Policy for America released the following statement:
“Yesterday President Trump vetoed S.J. Res. 68, the Iran War Powers Resolution, which would have limited his ability to enter into an unjustified and dangerous war with Iran, and which passed both chambers with bipartisan support. Today the Senate failed the American people by voting to not overturn his veto.
“The Iran War Powers Resolution was an important step in Congress reclaiming its constitutional prerogative on matters of war and peace. In light of President Trump’s reckless and irresponsible Iran policy, this measure was an important statement that his power is not unlimited.
“Earlier this year, Trump brought us to the brink of war with Iran with the assassination of Qassem Soleimani. A bipartisan majority in both the House and the Senate agreed on the need to prevent Trump from stumbling into war, and did so through a resolution that reiterated who constitutional war making powers belong to. But today, Republican Senators reminded us of their partisan loyalty to a dangerous, war-mongering president, and failed to reclaim their constitutional authority.
“‘It’s pretty simple,’ said FP4A Executive Director Andrew Albertson. ‘Trump can’t legally start a war with Iran. But the fact that the president and Senate are ignoring the will of the American people and abdicating their congressional authority is alarming. A majority of Americans don’t want another war of choice in the Middle East that will cost us significantly in both lives and tax-payer dollars. Now more than ever, as the entire world grapples with a deadly global health crisis, we simply can’t afford the risk of stumbling into a new war.’”
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