Durbin Delivers Floor Speech On The U.S. Strikes On Iran This Weekend

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor today following the U.S. strikes on Iran this weekend, which killed Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During his speech, Durbin announced support for Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) war powers resolution. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that the power to declare war is an explicit power of Congress and Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed this constitutional provision when it passed the War Powers Act in 1973 over the veto of President Nixon. Durbin was one of 23 Senators who voted against the war in Iraq.

Durbin said, “While there has long been bipartisan backing for stopping Iran’s development of nuclear weapons for many years and its support for regional terrorist proxies… there is no consensus in America for another interminable war in the Middle East. A war in Iran could create another long-term military commitment with deadly consequences. Already, we’ve seen the tragic death of four U.S. service members [and increasing] and serious injury of several others, as well as attacks in nine countries around the region.”

Durbin continued, “The impulsiveness of President Trump, particularly without Congressional approval in matters of war, is a further concern. Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution says the American people should make this decision through their elected Members of Congress. The power to declare war in our Constitution is an explicit power of Congress… Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed this provision when it passed the War Powers Act in 1973 over the veto of President Nixon… Under the law, the President has the authority to approve military attacks as a response to an imminent threat or with the expressed authorization of Congress—neither of those [points] apply to the situation today with Iran.”

“Let me be clear: the Iranian regime sponsors terrorism, wants to destroy Israel and undermine U.S. interests, has pursued nuclear weapons, and they are guilty of brutally repress[ing] their people. These issues are troubling, but they do not result in [us] ignoring the Constitution,” said Durbin. “I support Senator Kaine’s war powers resolution requiring Congressional approval for any further war with Iran.”

“Our Founders were very wise on this key point: one should never send our sons and daughters into war without the consent of the people. I have made this argument throughout my Congressional career regardless if the occupant of the White House is a Democrat or Republican,” Durbin concluded.

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