Press Releases

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) issued the following statement today after the House passed H. Con. Res. 83, a resolution “directing the President… to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran,” introduced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI):

“The resolution we passed today is an important first step to preventing a reckless President from taking us to war with Iran.

“I listened to the President, I have been briefed by his top national security officials, and I have tried to follow the shifting justifications for the killing that led to this crisis. Nothing they’ve said has given me the slightest bit of confidence that this president or his advisers have a coherent strategy for what comes next. While I am glad to see both sides apparently seeking de-escalation of the conflict, Congress has a duty to act now to stop any further slide towards military confrontation.

“The Constitution clearly vests the power to declare war with the Congress. I support additional measures to reassert Congress’ clear responsibility for authorizing war powers, including repealing the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), legislation to block funding for war against Iran, and legislation to strengthen the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

“My constituents do not support war with Iran, and neither do I.”

Beyer is a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 83, Rep. Ro Khanna’s No War Against Iran Act, Rep. Barbara Lee’s legislation to repeal the 2002 AUMF, and Rep. Peter DeFazio’s War Powers Amendments legislation. Beyer sponsored  previously served during the Obama Administration as the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Lichtenstein.