Rep. Mike Levin's Statement on the Strikes Against Iran
Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) released the following statement on the U.S. strikes against Iran:
“In the dark of night, President Trump announced that the United States had begun ‘major combat operations’ in Iran, describing a ‘massive and ongoing operation.’ Those are not the words that describe a limited strike to repel an imminent threat or a sudden attack. They describe sustained warfare.
“Article I of the Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the power to declare war. A President may act to repel an imminent attack, but launching an open-ended campaign requires congressional authorization. If this operation is truly massive and ongoing, it cannot rest solely on unilateral executive authority.
“We pray for the brave service members placed in harm’s way. Preventing Iranian nuclear proliferation is a serious objective. The Iranian regime continues to be a threat to American national security—and the safety of its own people—as it has been since 1979. But national security goals must be pursued within constitutional limits.
“Congress must be brought into this decision immediately. There must be a prompt War Powers vote so that the American people, through their elected representatives, determine whether our nation goes to war.
“When we take that vote, I will oppose a sustained war in Iran. I have no greater responsibility as an elected representative than deciding whether to send service members into harm’s way. I believe that we can support Iranians’ struggle for democracy without initiating a regional war. This is the type of war that Donald Trump explicitly said he was opposed to during his presidential campaign. Once again, the American people have found out that we cannot trust Donald Trump.”