Political Quotes

“I rise to elaborate on my statement of February 13 in support of S. J. Res. 68. This resolution puts the Senate on record with regard to war powers and Iran in the wake of the U.S. strike against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Qasem Soleimani on January 2, 2020. The resolution, which directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities against Iran, passed the Senate with a strong bipartisan majority. This bipartisan consensus is a testament to Senator Kaine's leadership, and I commend him for that. It is also a reflection of the Senate's deep concern about the risk of a broader military conflict between the United States and Iran. There is no dispute that Soleimani was an enemy of the United States, but this extraordinary killing of a high-ranking foreign military official nearly brought us to the brink of war. The strike would be justified if it had been necessary to defend against an imminent attack against the United States, but the administration has failed to provide any persuasive evidence of such a threat. Instead, the administration appears to be laying the foundation for further military action against Iran, without coming to Congress. Let's be clear: It is not just that there is no existing authorization.…”