Washington, DC -- Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; and Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today issued a joint statement on the 60-day mark of Trump’s war in Iran. Under the War Powers Resolution, the president must begin withdrawing U.S. forces if Congress has not authorized hostilities within 60 days.

“Despite the administration’s spurious claims, the ceasefire does not pause or terminate the War Powers clock. Hostilities have not ceased; both sides are enforcing naval blockades through military force. From Day One, this has been an unauthorized war of choice based on a demonstrably false premise of an imminent Iranian threat and as of today, 60 days in, there is still no congressional authorization for President Trump's war.

“This war of choice has achieved none of the administration’s stated objectives: ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions, removing its highly enriched uranium, or regime change. Instead, Iran now has greater leverage, a younger and more hardline Ayatollah, and, far from delivering a better deal, this administration cannot even reopen the Strait of Hormuz that was open before this war began.

“By all measures, Trump’s handling of this war has been a failure: it has cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars while driving up the costs of gas and groceries. Republicans who hid behind the 60-day clock to avoid voting on this war have run out of excuses. Congress must vote to end it.”

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