CORRECTION: Our previous news release misidentified the names of the Democratic members of Congress who voted against the war powers act. CAIR has updated the names of those Democrats who vote “no.”
—–
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted this afternoon against passage of H.Con.Res. 38, a bipartisan resolution introduced by Congressmen Thomas Massie (R) and Ro Khanna (D), sought to enforce Congress’ constitutional authority over war by requiring the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities absent explicit congressional authorization.
The House rejected the resolution in a 219–212 vote, freeing President Donald Trump to continue an unconstitutional and dangerous military escalation that threatens American troops, Iranian civilians, and regional stability.
The House vote followed the Senate’s failure the night before to pass a similar War Powers resolution introduced by Senators Tim Kaine (D) and Rand Paul (R). Taken together, the Senate and House votes represent a troubling moment in which Congress has failed to assert its constitutional authority over war, allowing President Trump to continue an unauthorized conflict despite over a 1,100 Iranian killed by the U.S.-Israel bombings, the deaths of six U.S. service members, and a majority of Americans opposed to this unjustified war.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“Tonight, the House failed to defend the Constitution and stop an illegal war, surrendering its authority and allowing President Donald Trump to continue letting Israel drag our nation into another catastrophic Middle Eastern conflict.
“We commend the lawmakers from both parties who voted to uphold Congress’ constitutional duty and demand an end to unauthorized hostilities with Iran. In particular, Representatives Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson demonstrated the courage to break with their party and stand on principle.
“At the same time, it is deeply disappointing that Representatives Henry Cuellar, Jared F. Golden, Greg Landsman, and Juan Varga joined Republicans to defeat this effort and enable an unconstitutional war. Their votes helped give the administration a green light to continue a dangerous escalation that threatens American lives and regional stability.
“This vote also comes as a clear majority of Americans oppose this warsay the Trump administration has not even explained what our goals in Iran are. More than 1,100 Iranians have reportedly been killed and six American service members have already lost their lives in a conflict Congress never authorized. The American people understand that this illegal war is spiraling without accountability or a clear objective.
“Equally troubling are proposals from Representative Josh Gottheimer and others that would give the president a so-called ‘30-day drawdown’ before ending hostilities. Americans did not elect Congress to issue a ’30 days of carnage hall pass’ for an unauthorized war. If a war is unconstitutional today, it should not be allowed to continue for another month.
“The Constitution is clear: Congress, not the president, has the authority to decide when this nation goes to war. The American people must continue pressing their elected representatives to reclaim that authority and stop another disastrous war in the Middle East before it spirals further out of control.”
CAIR said the votes demonstrate the urgent need for continued public pressure and is urging Americans across the country to contact their members of Congress in the coming days and demand another vote to reassert Congress’ war powers authority and end this illegal war.
The vote comes as nearly 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of President Trump’s decision to attack Iran, according a CNN poll and conducted by SSRS, and 60 percent of Americans say the Trump administration has not provided a clear explanation of the United States’ goals in Iran, according to a new CBS News survey.
CAIR thanked the lawmakers who voted in favor of the resolution and stood up for the Constitution and the American people, particularly the bipartisan leadership that brought the measure forward. In particular, CAIR commended the two Republicans who broke with their party to support congressional war powers and oppose unauthorized war: Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson.
CAIR noted that Rep. Gottheimer has promoted an alternative proposal that would allow the administration to continue military operations for up to 30 days before requiring withdrawal, a plan CAIR rejected as an attempt to legitimize an unauthorized war and grant what amounts to a “30 days of carnage hall pass” before Congress acts.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted to ensure that presidents cannot unilaterally take the nation into war without congressional authorization.
CAIR will continue in the coming days to urge Americans of all backgrounds to contact their members of Congress and demand that they reassert their constitutional war powers, halt unauthorized military action against Iran and pursue diplomacy and de-escalation rather than another catastrophic war in the Middle East.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | TikTok | Website | YouTube
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com