Rep. Huffman Statement on Vote to Rein in Trump’s Illegal, Costly War in Iran

March 05, 2026

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) released the following statement regarding his vote to pass the bipartisan War Powers Resolution and stop Trump from illegally launching the United States into a costly, deadly “forever war” with Iran:

“I unequivocally oppose Trump’s rash, illegal decision to start a war against Iran without congressional authorization or any clear, consistent reasoning. This administration has proven time and time again it’s willing to follow Trump’s worst impulses and whims with no consideration for diplomacy, human life, or the law.

“The American people want lower prices, affordable health care, and ICE agents off their streets. They want foreign policy and security decisions based on facts and careful planning, not vibes, phone calls from Saudi dictators, or schemes to distract public scrutiny of the Trump-Epstein files fiasco. Instead, Trump is taking our nation into exactly the kind of a regime-change war of choice he swore he would not support, with no regard for the billions of dollars it will cost and the lives of our children and family members who serve in uniform.

“Congress must demand an end to this madness. Unfortunately, my spineless Republican colleagues have let Trump get away with every abuse of power, every illegal act, every choice that has directly hurt the people we represent. And once again, they bowed to the whims of a madman and killed this resolution, enabling Trump, no matter the cost.

“This administration clearly has learned nothing from previous mistakes that led our troops into other costly, endless wars in the Middle East. Trump himself is brazenly admitting this will raise prices and cost an untold number of lives. The American people and our troops deserve better. I will keep searching for ways to rein in Trump and protect the American people.”

Hear my thoughts on Trump’s war in Iran here

Regarding the Republican resolution that reaffirms Iran as the largest state sponsor of terrorism, Rep. Huffman voted no, stating: “Iran is a deplorable regime that has committed countless atrocities and has continuously been a bad actor on the global stage, and I am under no illusions about that. But the Republican resolution included false statements about al-Queda that could be manipulated to justify Trump’s reckless strikes in Iran, which I cannot support.”

Background

In recent months, tensions between the United States and Iran have increased amid ongoing disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and political unrest inside the country. Despite the volatile situation in the region, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and large-scale protests in Iran over economic conditions, the Trump administration authorized military strikes against Iranian targets on February 28, 2026, without seeking prior authorization from Congress.

In response, Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan War Powers Resolution pursuant to the War Powers Act of 1973 to reassert Congress’s constitutional authority over decisions of war and require the Administration to end unauthorized hostilities against Iran. The resolution failed 212 Yeas-219 Nays on March 5, 2026.

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