Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) released the following statement announcing her support for the War Powers Resolution sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.):
“Our country’s framers had the wise foresight to give the constitutional authority to declare war to Congress. No one person should be responsible for unilaterally making a decision that could put American lives in harm’s way. If a president wants to put American service members at risk by taking military action, it should be debated and voted on in Congress first, as Senator Kaine’s resolution details, which is why I plan to support it.
“While I’m pleased the Trump administration is finally providing information to Congress, it is still far too soon to determine what the impact of the strikes have been – and what retaliation from Iran or elsewhere would entail. As the administration considers next steps, it’s crucial that Congress regain its war power authority and be consulted with on any decision to escalate hostilities in the region. Our constituents elected us to debate matters that impact their safety and our national security. The last thing the American people want and need is to be dragged into another endless war.”
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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.