Elfreth Statement on Attack on Iran

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement. 

“This morning, Americans woke up once again to news of the United States entering another undefined foreign conflict that put the lives of even more servicemembers at risk. The President himself admitted that American lives may be lost in this conflict. I’m thinking of our men and women in uniform who deserve clear answers and strategy, the American people who deserve assurance that we are not entering another forever war, and the Iranian people who deserve self-determination.

“There is no doubt that Iran’s human rights violations and nuclear ambitions must be confronted, but after the President boldly declared that Iran’s nuclear program was set back decades by a first set of strikes less than a year ago, we are once again attacking Iran without more clarity, legal justification, or consultation of Congress. 

“Congress has the clear Constitutional authority to authorize strikes against enemies and declare war. Next week, the House of Representatives will take up a War Powers Resolution to end hostilities with Iran. I will be supporting this resolution, which is a critical opportunity for members of Congress – Democratic and Republican alike – to reassert our Constitutional authority.

“At the same time, American families back home are struggling to make ends meet, to keep up with rising costs from the checkout lines at grocery stores and pharmacies to rent, mortgage, and utility payments. Reckless conflicts abroad and ever-changing tariff policies do nothing to ease the economic pressures that our neighbors are facing. For the Maryland families I represent, I will utilize my role on the House Armed Services Committee to press for Congressional authority, transparency, and oppose rushing into an endless and unnecessary conflict in the Middle East.”

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