Larsen joins leader Jeffries in statement on Iran strikes

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RiCK LARSEN |||

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the New Democrat Coalition’s statements on U.S. strikes against Iran.

Leader Jeffries’ released the following statement: 

“Overnight, Donald Trump announced the start of massive and ongoing military operations against Iran. The framers of the United States Constitution gave Congress the sole power to declare war as the branch of government closest to the American people. 

“Iran is a bad actor and must be aggressively confronted for its human rights violations, nuclear ambitions, support of terrorism and the threat it poses to our allies like Israel and Jordan in the region. However, absent exigent circumstances, the Trump administration must seek authorization for the preemptive use of military force that constitutes an act of war. 

“Donald Trump failed to seek Congressional authorization prior to striking Iran. Instead, the President’s decision to abandon diplomacy and launch a massive military attack has left American troops vulnerable to Iran’s retaliatory actions. We pray for the safety of the men and women of the U.S. military as they have been put into harm’s way in a dangerous theater of war. 

“If Iran’s nuclear program was “completely and totally obliterated” by the military strikes in June 2025, as Donald Trump boldly proclaimed, there should be no need to strike them now. Equally troublesome, the advancement of security and stability in the Middle East requires more than military might, as we painfully discovered in several failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Trump administration must explain itself to the American people and Congress immediately, provide an ironclad justification for this act of war, clearly define the national security objective and articulate a plan to avoid another costly, prolonged military quagmire in the Middle East. 

“The War Powers Resolution introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie demands that President Trump remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran absent Congressional authorization. House Democrats remain committed to compelling a vote on this resolution upon our return.” 

The New Democrat Coalition released the following statement: 

“The Constitution explicitly gives Congress and only Congress the authority and heavy responsibility to send our nation to war. We have not seen any intelligence indicating an imminent threat that would justify risking the lives of American servicemembers. Speaker Johnson must immediately reconvene the House so that we may vote on a war powers resolution. 

“We have no false impressions of Iran’s regime. They repress their people at home, sponsor terror campaigns against the U.S. and our allies, and bolster violent insurgencies abroad. We cannot allow these realities to cloud the serious analysis and debate that must take place before we engage in war. 

“We are fully confident in the capabilities of our military and servicemembers, and are praying for their safety and success. We also know the cost of a prolonged conflict with no defined conclusion. The American people do not want another endless war. They don’t want more flag-draped coffins, more of our brave young men and women needlessly sent into harm’s way without a clear purpose or strategy. 

“Congress must rise to the moment and exercise its constitutional duties to serve as a check on the President before more troops are put in harm’s way.”