Dr. Tina Shah for Congress Statement on Iran

Reflecting on the last 24 hours, let me be clear: the Iranian regime is brutal, repressive, and destabilizing. That being said, the U.S. Constitution is clear: the power to declare war belongs to Congress. This safeguard exists for a reason, to prevent any president, especially Donald Trump, from unilaterally dragging the nation into war without debate, justification, and accountability.

For years, Americans were told by Trump and Representative Tom Kean Jr. that we would end “forever wars” and refocus on strengthening our economy and lowering costs for families. Instead, at a moment when our priority should be improving life here at home, they have once again failed.

The Iranian regime has silenced dissent with violence and has long been recognized as a leading state sponsor of terrorism responsible for the deaths of American servicemembers and innocent civilians. No one should support the Iranian regime let alone allow them access to a nuclear weapon.

But we cannot abandon our Constitution. American citizens, and our men and women in uniform have already paid the price for reckless war. As a physician who worked at the VA to expand access to care for Veterans, I have seen firsthand the lasting physical and psychological costs of decisions made from leaders without sufficient scrutiny or planning. War is not an abstract debate; it is a lifelong burden carried by American families.

Congress must reassert its constitutional authority. Tom Kean Jr. should be leading here and pushing the President to be open and honest with the American people. The stakes are not theoretical. The safety of our troops, the stability of our nation, and the credibility of our democracy depend on what Congress chooses to do next.