Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks on the floor, as prepared, during debate on H.Con.Res.89, the War Powers Resolution that directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran.
"Before I get into my primary remarks, I want to take a moment to recognize Sergeant Angel Rampersad from Ozone Park in my district, who was killed on July 17 in Jordan. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones and all those families of the service members lost in this war.
"M. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of Rep. Jayapal’s Iran War Powers Resolution.
"Let me be clear: This body has already spoken. The War Powers Resolution passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate. The Trump administration was required to end its hostilities against Iran. It has not.
"A dual-chamber concurrent resolution has never been struck down by the courts, certainly not in the war powers context. Any claim otherwise is simply wrong.
"I will also be introducing legislation that would require the speaker to bring suit against the administration, to force it to abide by Congress’ vote on the War Powers Resolution.
"But we are here because the administration broke the law. Three more U.S. servicemembers having made the ultimate sacrifice for an illegal, unauthorized war that the American people don’t want. This administration has never sought an Authorization for Use of Military Force from Congress. And most Republicans in this chamber continue to enable it.
"As I have said before on this floor: this war has achieved none of our core objectives, and more bombing will not change the reality on the ground. with respect to Iran's nuclear program, its hardline regime, its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, or any of its malign practices.
"Addressing those threats requires diplomacy not more war, and diplomacy must be led by seasoned diplomats and nonproliferation experts, not real estate developers.
"We need our European allies, our Gulf partners, and yes, even our adversaries back at the table. Because bombing without strategy isn’t a foreign policy, it’s a tantrum by a president who cannot clean up the mess he’s made.
"Make no mistake: the president's tantrum is why gas is back over $4 a gallon, and it will keep climbing now that the Houthis have threatened their own blockade of the Red Sea.
"That tantrum is why American troops are under fire. It's why our munitions stockpiles are being drained. And it's why we are teetering on the edge of the forever war we warned this would become.
"To my Republican colleagues, this war is indefensible and deep down many of you know it. Uphold your oath. Uphold the Constitution. Stand with us and make clear, once again, that this president cannot wage war without our consent.
"And if you still believe this war should continue, fine. Then vote in support of this measure and demand the administration come to Congress and follow the Constitution, as the law requires. I yield back."
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