[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 7, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H6]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRESS NEEDS TO PASS WAR POWERS RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY
(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, the American people and Members of
Congress cannot ignore being on the brink of war. Nor can we ignore the
fact that the Constitution indicates in Article I that it is the
Congress that has the responsibility and duty to declare war.
Nor can we ignore the breaking news of 10 rockets that have just hit
a base in Iraq that houses U.S. troops or the 4,000 troops that have
been sent in the last 24 hours or the reckless decision made by this
administration to kill a very bad man in a manner that has created
havoc in the Mideast.
It is interesting to suggest that our allies are supportive when, in
the last 24 hours, Israel said they had nothing to do with it.
Presidents Obama and Bush, competent and prepared, indicated that this
was not the right thing to do.
My concern is that we, as a Nation, are defenders, and we can defend
ourselves. We are powerful. That is not the point.
The point is that we can do a tactic, but where is the strategy? It
is crucial that we do not send young men and women into battle
recklessly.
I believe the Congress needs to pass a war powers resolution, an
AUMF, immediately.
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