Kelly Statement on Supporting War Powers Resolution to Prevent Unauthorized War with Iran

Today, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly released the following statement after voting in favor of Senator Tim Kaine’s War Powers Resolution to direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran that have not been authorized by Congress: 

“Putting American servicemembers in harm’s way is one of the most serious decisions we can make. While any President needs to be able to act quickly to defend our country, the American people and our troops deserve a real debate before going to war. That’s what happened before President Bush sent me to fly combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait in the First Gulf War, and it’s what should happen if President Trump wants to take any further offensive actions against Iran.”  

Background:  

The Kaine-led War Powers Resolution was introduced on June 16 to ensure that any U.S. military involvement in hostilities against Iran must be explicitly authorized by Congress. The resolution reaffirms Congress’s sole constitutional authority to declare war and invokes the War Powers Resolution to compel the removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities. It makes clear that Congress has not authorized the use of force against Iran but does not limit the President’s ability to act in self-defense if an imminent threat arises. 

Read the full resolution here.