Scanlon Votes in Support of War Powers Resolution

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon voted in support of the War Powers Resolution which would limit President Donald Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran without congressional consent. This measure passed the House with bipartisan support.

This critical vote came in the wake of escalating tensions between the US and Iran following President Trump’s ordered assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iran’s response which included the firing of missiles at US bases in Iraq.

“There is no doubt that Qassem Soleimani was an evil man who was a danger to American lives and interests,” Rep. Scanlon said. “However, the decision to order his assassination is one that previous administrations, of both parties, avoided, believing that the risks far outweighed the benefits. As members of Congress, it is our duty to examine the rationale for engaging our armed forces in war with any country — a duty we must execute with extraordinary care under an administration operating with vacancies in key national security positions. I will not vote to commit our sons and daughters to war, or authorize military action that places our diplomats and other Americans in harm’s way, in the absence of compelling justification.”

This Resolution was made pursuant to the War Powers Act, passed during the Vietnam War, which limits the ability of any President to engage in war without consent from Congress. The resolution requires the President to halt military actions against Iran unless directed and authorized by Congress, or in response to an imminent threat.