Doyle Votes to Limit Military Action Against Iran Without Congressional Approval

Statement

U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-18) released the following statement today after the House voted with his support to approve H.Con.Res. 83, a resolution directing the President to terminate the use of military force against Iran.

"I voted to prevent the President from dragging our country into a war with Iran without the explicit authorization of Congress.

"This resolution directs the President not to take further military action against Iran without further explicit authorization from Congress; it would, however, still allow defensive action against any imminent armed attack.

"The Constitution gives Congress the sole authority to declare war, and the War Powers Act lays out the limitations on military action without a declaration of war.

"This was a straightforward vote, reiterating the fact that Congress has the exclusive power to declare war -- and, conversely, to limit military action by U.S. armed forces.

"The President doesn't have the authority to undertake significant military action against Iran under the Constitution, the War Powers Act, or the 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force. It's important for Congress to make those limits clear."

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