Washington, DC – Jamal Abdi, President of the National Iranian American Council, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the resolution from Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) directing President Trump to terminate hostilities against Iran in a 215-208 vote. Four Republicans joined Congressional Democrats in voting for the measure, just as occurred in the Senate two weeks ago when a similar resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine passed with four Republicans in support:
“President Trump has now received two clear and unmistakable signals from a majority of the Republican-controlled House and Republican-controlled Senate: end this war before more harm is done to American security and the American economy.
“Unfortunately, the ceasefire has turned into a “more-moderately-fire” as failure to rein in Benjamin Netanyahu in Lebanon and move decisively toward a deal has allowed tensions to spike repeatedly. One of the world’s vital transit corridors is still blockaded twice over and significant gaps remain over the terms of a more stable peace. Continuing on the same track risks reigniting this war in full, to disastrous consequences.
“At the same time, the political window for this war is narrowing quickly as lawmakers continue to hear from Americans that have opposed this war of choice from the start and are angry that their elected representatives once again prioritized military entanglements abroad that spike the price of gas and groceries, making their lives harder and less affordable. House Democrats deserve credit for uniting around the resolution from Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), as does Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) for supporting every single Iran war powers resolution and the three House Republicans – Warren Davidson (R-OH), Tom Barrett (R-MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) who flipped their votes from no to yes as the war dragged on.
“The Senate faces another consequential vote in the days to come that could either result in a third consecutive bipartisan advancement of an Iran war powers resolution, or a tie that Vice President JC Vance could be forced to break. President Trump needs to stop dithering and bring this disastrous war to a close before more harm is done. Otherwise, more harm to the nation and more political blowback will follow.”
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NIAC Action is the largest grassroots Iranian-American organization
advocating for peace & diplomacy, secure equitable immigration policies, and the protection of civil rights.
Learn more at www.niacouncil.org.