OP-ED AND MORE FROM SENATOR KIM: 

The Lasting and Disastrous Consequences of Trump’s Unconstitutional War in Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) published an op-ed on MSNOW.com echoing Americans’ opposition to President Trump’s unconstitutional strikes on Iran and outlining how this war will lead to disaster for America. He also joined MSNOW’s The Weekend this morning to discuss the latest developments and continue his calls for Congress to reconvene immediately to assert the will of the people.

“I can think of no greater responsibility in Congress than the responsibility to oversee when our country goes to war and military conflicts...We have to make sure we have a vote, because one voice that has been missing through all of the last 48 hours, is the American people,” shared Senator Kim on MSNOW’s The Weekend.

Watch and share the full interview

Key Excerpts from Senator Kim’s Op-Ed entitled “How my fellow lawmakers and I can try to end Trump’s new ‘war’ in Iran”

“By launching military action against Iran, President Donald Trump has chosen a “war” — his word — that could have lasting and disastrous consequences for Americans’ well-being. He decided against an approach of diplomacy alongside our allies, pressure on the regime and support for the Iranian people that would have been sustainable and positioned us for long-term success.”

On Congress’s role:

“Congress must step in, immediately, to halt the military action. In both the House and Senate, there are war power resolutions ready to be voted on. My fellow members of Congress and I have power here; we should use it.”

On Americans’ opposition to this war:

“Only 27% of Americans support using military force against Iran, according to a YouGov poll released Feb. 24. At a recent town hall in Asbury Park, I asked attendees to raise their hands if they wanted the United States to launch military strikes against Iran. Not a single hand went up. I asked people to raise their hands if they oppose military strikes. Every hand went up. People across our country see the threat of this administration leading us down the path to another ill-advised and open-ended war in the Middle East, and they’re not on board.”

On the lives Donald Trump is putting on the line:

“Whether to use military force and risk Americans’ lives is the weightiest decision any president can make. Yet the Trump team has not made a serious or consistent case to the American people about why military strikes are necessary...U.S. service members deployed to the region deserve a clear articulation of why the use of force is necessary and what their objectives are. I have seen none of that seriousness from this administration.”

On the alternatives:

“Smart policy would be an aggressive pursuit of diplomacy alongside U.S. allies, sustained pressure on the regime and meaningful efforts to support the Iranian people. Instead, the Trump administration has assembled massive military forces in the region while cutting off some of our strongest assets to confront Iran. Recent efforts at diplomacy have been half-hearted, with little coordination with our allies and partners, and programs such as internet freedom efforts that support the Iranian people have been reduced.”

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