[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 7 (Monday, January 13, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S154-S155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                  Iran

  Over the past 3 years, the President's impulsive and erratic approach 
to foreign policy has made America less safe and less respected. 
Whether it is Syria or North Korea or Russia, the President's actions 
have failed to advance our national security--in some cases, failed 
miserably.
  Now, after the aftermath of the U.S. strike on General Soleimani, the 
President and his foreign policy team have insisted that ``the world is 
a much safer place today.'' That is what Secretary Pompeo said. In 
recent weeks,

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however, the President's actions have increased the risk of Iran 
rushing to develop a nuclear weapon, weakened our ability to fight 
ISIS, and strengthened the hands of Russia and China in the Middle 
East, at America's expense. How in the world is the world ``a much 
safer place today'' than when President Trump took office? It is not.
  Every American should ask themselves this question: Are we safer 
today after these actions, with Russia and China on the ascent, with 
our ability to fight ISIS weakened, and with Iran rushing to make a 
nuclear weapon? Every American should ask this question.
  As we continue to grapple with the fallout from the President's 
actions, there are several points for my colleagues to consider. The 
Trump administration has not been transparent with Congress or the 
American people. The Trump administration did not consult with Congress 
prior to the strike on Soleimani and had classified the War Powers Act 
notification sent to Congress without any justification. There is no 
reason much of it should be classified.
  It took over a week for the administration to conduct a briefing for 
the Senate about the strike and then the briefers, top members of the 
administration, practically ran out of the room after only a few 
questions, putting the ``brief'' in briefing.
  Today Secretary Pompeo refused to testify in the House about the 
administration's decisions. On something as serious as the current 
situation in Iran, the administration's lack of transparency has been 
completely unacceptable. While the President has promised to keep us 
out of endless wars in the Middle East, his actions have moved us 
closer to exactly such a war, making the American people and American 
forces less safe.
  While I am thankful that nobody was hurt by Iran's retaliatory 
missile strikes last week, there are several reasons to be concerned. 
Iran can strike us in other ways in the months ahead with cyber 
warfare, proxies, or established terror networks that have destabilized 
the Middle East for decades. The Supreme Leader himself has said the 
recent strikes on U.S. installations in Iraq were just ``one slap'' and 
``not enough.'' Iran has also announced it will no longer abide by any 
restraints on its nuclear program.
  The President has tweeted ``all is well'' with Iran now. You would 
have to be delusional to believe that. It is sort of like saying North 
Korea is no longer a nuclear threat.
  In many ways, the President has made Americans less safe. 
Unfortunately, what is happening with Iran is typical of how the 
President has conducted foreign policy over the last 3 years--erratic, 
impulsive, and without regard for long-term consequences. As a result, 
the President's foreign policy is dangerously incompetent.
  We cannot say that any major problem area around the globe was better 
off than it was 3 years ago. Because of all this--because of this 
erratic, impulsive foreign policy--the Senate must not allow the 
President to proceed unchecked. Senator Kaine's War Powers Resolution 
is needed now more than ever, and I am glad the Senate will consider 
the resolution this week.
  Senator Sanders also has a bill that would deny funding for a war 
with Iran. We should consider that legislation, which I cosponsored as 
well. As the situation with Iran continues to evolve, the 
administration must come back and finish what they barely started last 
week, keeping Congress briefed and up to speed with all major 
developments, troop deployments, and strategy.
  On matters of war and peace, for the safety of our troops, the 
security of our Nation is at stake. Congressional oversight and 
congressional prerogatives are not optional; they are mandatory.