Washington state lawmakers have responded to the U.S. strikes on Iran, which the Trump administration announced Saturday.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke out against the administration’s actions.
“We can all agree that Iran should never possess a nuclear weapon. But the American people do not want to begin a war with Iran, and Trump does not have the unilateral authority to start one.”
“This strike was unconstitutional. I share the questions the American people have. What is the strategy here? Why are we putting American lives at risk? The administration must now do its utmost to ensure service members and civilians in the region are protected against retaliation.”
“The United States of America is a democracy with constitutional separation of powers, and that requires a president – any president – to come to Congress to approve the use of military force.”
“It is critical that Congress ask important questions before approval – Congress needs to understand what intelligence the administration is acting upon, what the goal is, what the endgame is, and whether we have built an international coalition of support. None of this happened.”
“Congress has not been presented any evidence that required these strikes tonight. I will continue to demand answers and to speak up on behalf of my constituents, the overwhelming majority of whom do not want to be dragged into yet another forever war.”
On the other hand, Representative Dan Newhouse, of Washington’s 4th congressional district, supported the strikes, citing Iran’s continued nuclear development.
“The decisive actions taken by the United States come as Iran refused to end development of their nuclear program, and I stand with our ally Israel as we work together to end this dangerous regime’s efforts towards a nuclear weapon of mass destruction. Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.”
