WAR POWERS RESOLUTION

WAR POWERS RESOLUTION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 39 (Monday, March 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 39 (Monday, March 2, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S737-S738] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WAR POWERS RESOLUTION Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today in strong support of my colleague from Virginia Senator Kaine's resolution prohibiting the United States from continuing this illegal war in Iran. I want to start with the basic premise that I think we can all agree on: We are here to represent the people of our States and their desires. Wisconsinites have been unequivocal that they do not want another foreign war. I agree with them, and for a while, it seemed Donald Trump did too. The President promised not to get into more foreign wars, but the President broke that promise and has gone all in on war with Iran. The consequences are dire. Six American servicemembers are now dead. My heart absolutely breaks for their parents, their siblings, their children, their spouses, and their communities. Thousands of Americans in uniform who are stationed in the region are at risk because of the President's reckless and illegal war. And what does the President have to say? He says that it is likely more Americans are going to die. He said that is just the way it is. He said that. The President's callous response shows his disregard for the men and women he is supposed to lead. Our Constitution is crystal clear: If our country is going to war, Congress needs to vote on it. In 2002, Congress debated the war in Iraq, and I opposed it. I believed the Bush administration dangerously underestimated the potential consequences and did not have a clear path forward after the initial military operation. I was right. As a result, thousands of brave service men and women died, taxpayers paid billions of dollars, and we got ourselves into a yearslong war in the Middle East. I have the same concerns today. I fully agree that Iran's regime is a dangerous and murderous one and can't be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, but how we deal with them and keep America safe matters. Diplomacy--the hard work of peacefully negotiating--is the answer, not war. That is exactly why I supported the 2015 deal that kept Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, but President Trump ripped that deal up and allowed Iran's nuclear program to flourish. Wisconsinites see exactly what this President is doing, and they do not support it. They want President Trump to live up to his promises and to address their kitchen-table issues and concerns, not pull our country into another foreign war. [[Page S738]] I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois. ____________________