Ansari is first and only Iranian American Democrat in Congress
WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) cosponsored a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to prohibit offensive U.S. military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran without Congressional approval. Ansari is the daughter of two Iranian immigrants. The resolution Ansari cosponsors falls under the authority of the War Powers Resolution of 1973–also known as the War Powers Act–a Congressional resolution designed to limit the U.S. president’s ability to unilaterally initiate or escalate military actions abroad.
“My parents fled Iran when the current Islamic Republic regime took over in 1979, and I grew up hearing stories of family and friends brutalized by the regime ever since,” said Rep. Ansari. “The Iranian people are not the regime and they should not be punished for its actions. As Trump generates further fear and escalations, I am deeply concerned about the continued loss of innocent life.
“The Islamic Republic regime is the enemy of the Iranian people. There are no shelters or infrastructure to protect Iranian people against even targeted missiles and strikes, not to mention a lack of baseline protections of their human rights and dignity. The Iranian people deserve freedom from the barbaric regime and Israelis deserve security. While the regime can never be allowed to obtain nuclear capabilities, Trump’s threats of war through social media risk drawing American troops into danger and destabilizing the region and the world.
“Only Congress has the power to declare war–the bipartisan War Powers resolution co-introduced by Rep. Khanna makes clear the president cannot and must not act unilaterally in these matters. We cannot let Trump undermine our own democracy by usurping Congressional authority yet again.”
Ansari also supports the sentiments of:
- Senator Tim Kaine’s resolution directing removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran under the WPR.
- Senator Bernie Sanders’ No War Against Iran Actto prohibit the use of federal funds for any use of military force in or against Iran absent specific Congressional authorization.
Follow @RepYassAnsari on all social media platforms and visit Ansari.House.gov to learn more.
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