Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) released the following statement after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, and President Trump called for change in Iran’s government:

“Today, President Trump announced that he has taken unilateral action to start a war with Iran without authorization from Congress—the representatives of the people—that threatens to put the United States into another prolonged war at great cost to the American people.  It is the latest action in a series of reckless abuses of power that has become the defining characteristic of this President and his presidency.  President Trump, without congressional authorization or a clear mission with defined objectives, has chosen escalation over diplomacy, putting our service members, U.S. interests, and regional stability at risk.  

“The Constitution grants the Congress the sole authority and the solemn responsibility to declare war for good reason.  It is the most serious and consequential decision a people can make—and it is the decision of the people, not the President.

“Speaker Johnson must reconvene the House immediately, the administration must brief the full Congress, and the Congress must vote on the pending resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran without congressional authorization.  I intend to vote in favor of this resolution.

“Our men and women in uniform deserve better from our country’s leaders than unilateral, unconstitutional action.  We owe it to them and their families to ensure that we do not repeat mistakes of the past.  I am praying for their safety and for the safety of all civilians who are now in harm’s way.”