Barbara Lee: “It is up to Congress to prevent another costly war in the Middle East. For too long, Congress has ceded its…”

“It is up to Congress to prevent another costly war in the Middle East. For too long, Congress has ceded its responsibilities as a coequal branch of government when it comes to matters of war and peace. As The New York Times recently put it: ``It is long past time that the legislative branch reclaimed its central role in overseeing war waged in the name of the American people.'' Madam Chair, I thank Congressman Khanna for this amendment. He has been persistent and very clear about our role in the areas of war and peace, and it builds upon the amendment I got into the Defense appropriations bill that indicated and said that nothing in the Defense appropriations bill could be construed as authorization for the use of force in Iran.”