Washington, DC – On Thursday, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21) took to the House floor to support bills to repeal the 2002 authorization for use of military force against Iraq and prohibit funding for an unauthorized war with Iran, ensuring that the United States cannot enter into war with Iran without Congressional approval.

The bills passed the house by votes of 228 to 175 and 236 to 166, respectively, and will now go to the Senate for consideration.

Below are Rep. Frankel’s remarks as delivered:

“Thank you.

We can agree Iran is the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism and must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Let’s also agree that diplomacy is preferred instead of an armed conflict.

The question today is not whether to go to war, but who has the power to make that decision.

Mr. Speaker, our family was blessed when my son, a United States Marine war veteran, came home safely from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, but too many loved ones were not that lucky.

So, when I came to Congress, I made a promise: to never send someone else’s child to a war that could be avoided

The Constitution and the law give Congress, not the President, the sole power to declare and authorize war, and it is time that Congress owns up to that grave responsibility.

I urge my colleagues to have the courage to repeal the war authorization against Iraq and tell the President no war against Iran without our consent.

I yield back.

For video of the speech, click here.

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