In-House Opinions: Local members of Congress on Iran war

As part of our regular series polling Southern California members of the House of Representatives on the key issues of the day, we asked a group of them for their takes on the military attacks on Iran by American and Israeli forces, and on the question of whether the War Powers Resolution of 1973 means that Congress should have been consulted before the attacks began.

Some of their replies follow:

Rep. George Whitesides, D-Santa Clarita: “First and foremost, I am thinking of the American troops who are now in harm’s way after the president ordered military strikes against Iran last night. My thoughts are also with our citizens in the region.

“Americans need to know that House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to call us back to D.C. only two of the next 15 days. This plan, during such a critical period, is nothing less than a dereliction of duty and a further sign of how the Congressional majority is content to be subservient to this administration.  With this conflict escalating by the hour, Congress should return to D.C. immediately, vote on the War Powers Resolution, and do its constitutional job for the American people.

“There is no debate that the Iranian regime is dangerous and cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon — but taking major unilateral military action without Congressional authorization is unconstitutional, full stop. Further, it risks a regional war that could cost many more American lives and further destabilize the region, like the Iraq war.”

Rep. Young Kim, R-Yorba Linda: “President Trump took decisive action in response to the Iranian regime’s refusal to dismantle its nuclear program and end its reign of terror against the United States. This evil regime has long used terrorism as a weapon and can never be allowed to possess a weapon of mass destruction. The administration appropriately briefed the Gang of Eight ahead of Operation Epic Fury, immediately followed by briefings to all members of Congress this week. Congress should continue to be kept informed on the operation and exercise its oversight responsibilities.”

Rep. Derek Tran, D-Irvine: “President Trump’s decision to launch unilateral strikes against Iran without prior notification or authorization from Congress is a dangerous overreach of executive power. By bypassing Congress, this administration has not only ignored the law but has also sidelined the American people in a decision that puts the lives of our service members at immediate risk.

“Iran is a terrorist nation-state and is a threat to democracies worldwide. It is governed by a brutal regime that oppresses its people and is an enemy to the United States.

“However, the fact remains that America is not willing to entangle ourselves in another forever war.

“This administration’s failure to seek diplomatic resolution, combined with its failure to seek Congressional buy-in, is a recipe for catastrophe. Instead of a strategy to prevent Iran’s nuclear proliferation, we are seeing a reckless policy of regime change that threatens to ignite a full-scale war.

“Congress is not a bystander in matters of war and peace; we are a coequal branch of government with the sole constitutional authority to declare war. I am calling for immediate, transparent briefings and will work with my colleagues to assert our Article I oversight. We cannot, and will not, allow this country to be dragged into another unauthorized, forever war.”

Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona: “We can agree with the Trump administration that Iranian leadership is responsible for horrific murders of its own people and terrorism across the Middle East. Yet the administration has not provided clear evidence of an imminent threat, nor a defined objective or timeline. At least six American servicemembers have already lost their lives. We owe their families and the American people transparency, accountability and a clear strategy.

“War is not a decision that can be made unilaterally. If military action is necessary, the administration must come before Congress, present the case, and seek authorization. Today, the Trump administration has not provided clear evidence of an imminent threat that would justify bypassing Congress under the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

“The Constitution is clear: no single branch of government can make decisions about war alone.”

Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona: “President Trump’s decision to launch Operation Epic Fury will protect America and our allies by eliminating the Iranian regime’s ability to wage terror and threaten its enemies. It will also provide the Iranian people with a historic opportunity to shape their own future free from oppression.

“As chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee, I was notified after Operation Epic Fury began and I look forward to continued briefings from our military and civilian national security leaders. We will stand together with Israel and our allies in the region as they face retaliation by Iran, and help them shape a more peaceful future for the Middle East. I pray for the safety of our brave and incredibly capable servicemembers carrying out this mission.”

Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside: “I believe that our tax dollars should be used to lower costs and make Americans’ lives better here at home, not to engage in regime change overseas. Instead, Donald Trump has now launched a ​war of choice in the Middle East that puts American servicemembers at risk and has already spiraled into a broader regional conflict.

“The president’s belated War Powers notification underscores how muddled and shifting his justifications have already been. This is precisely why Congress must reassert its constitutional war-making powers and put a desperately needed check on Donald Trump.”

Rep. Dave Min, D-Irvine: “President Trump has hastily and recklessly drawn us into an illegal war in Iran that has already cost lives and could devastate our economy. He has failed to make a serious case for war to Congress or the American people, which is why I support the War Powers Resolution and will reject President Trump’s overreach.

“Let me be clear: I stand with the Iranian people, who have suffered under decades of brutality by the Islamic Republic of Iran. I will always oppose the Islamic Republic’s repression and violence.

“However, rushing into conflict without clear objectives risks repeating the mistakes of the forever wars. The Iraq war lasted nearly nine years, cost trillions of dollars, claimed thousands of American lives, and destabilized an entire region. We cannot afford to make those same mistakes again.

“My thoughts are with my Iranian-American constituents, many of whom are unable to reach their families in Iran due to internet blackouts, and our servicemembers and their families as we enter this uncertain moment. Congress must fulfill its constitutional duty, demand transparency from the administration, and ensure that any decision to go to war is lawful, deliberate and in the true interests of the American people.”

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Carlsbad: “President Trump is demonstrating the kind of leadership reminiscent of Ronald Reagan: strategic, decisive, visionary and challenging the stale status quo. From the start, this administration has led with strength and resolve, not in the name of war, but to safeguard America’s homeland and pave a path to enduring peace around the world. We are today undertaking a vital mission: To stop Iran — the globe’s foremost sponsor of terror — from acquiring the foremost weapons of terror. This is not an action of choice, but one of necessity. Finally, I will not support any attempt in Congress to improperly prevent this president from leading as commander in chief and finishing the job in Iran.”