Kaine Statement on Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s actions toward Iran:

“I’m deeply worried that the Trump Administration is leading us toward an unnecessary war with Iran. One year ago, the President withdrew the United States from the deal that prevented Iran from building nuclear weapons. In the months since, Trump’s White House has taken a series of actions to increase tensions, including misrepresenting the regular deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln as a warning to Iran. Let me make one thing clear: The Trump Administration has no legal authority to start a war against Iran without the consent of Congress.”

For years, Kaine has been the leading voice in Congress raising concerns over Presidents’ efforts to expand the use of military force without congressional authorization. He penned a piece in the Atlantic in July of 2018 warning against the Trump Administration starting a war with Iran. Kaine has introduced updated authorizations for the use of military force (AUMFs) to repeal the 2001 and 2002 authorizations, reassert Congress’ role in authorizing military action, and take away the blank check that multiple Presidents have used to fight wars across the globe.

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