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RELEASE: Rep. Khanna and Rep. Gaetz Bipartisan Amendment to Prohibit Funds from Being Used with a War Against Iran Overwhelmingly Passes in 2019 NDAA

July 12, 2019

Washington, DC – Today, by a vote of 251-170, the House of Representatives successfully passed the Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL-1) amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to prevent federal funds from being used for any military force in or against Iran without congressional authorization. In addition to blocking funds for a war, this amendment clarifies neither the 2001 nor 2002 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) can be invoked to justify the use of military force against Iran. In 2002, Congress authorized a war with Iraq, but this time, took a historic turn to avoid another trillion dollar war in the Middle East. Congress acted earlier this year to reassert its war making powers by passing Rep. Khanna's Yemen War Powers Resolution. Americans are tired of endless and costly wars, and Congress is now repeatedly acting to end old wars and prevent new ones. These votes show that action and change.

Ahead of the vote, Speaker Pelosi spoke on the floor in support of the amendment's passage.

Since taking office in 2017, Rep. Khanna has been a staunch voice for finding diplomatic solutions to conflicts, increasing foreign assistance, and reasserting Congress' role in matters of war and peace. Instead of solving every political issue with more bombs, he supports finding diplomatic and political ways to solve our conflicts abroad. He has penned several op-eds on many foreign policy issues.

"This is a historic moment for Congress," said Rep. Ro Khanna. "Although President Trump campaigned on ending costly wars oversees, his chosen advisors, one which includes the architect of the Iraq war, and actions to increase tensions with Iran prove he is far from living up to that promise. With more than 25 Republicans voting in favor of passage, this amendment is proof that opposition to war with Iran transcends partisan politics. Some of the President's closest allies voted for this amendment. Americans came together around the idea that we must avoid a war with Iran. I am most appreciative of all of the cosponsors, especially Rep. Gaetz and Chairmen Smith, Engel, and McGovern who helped lead this successful and bipartisan effort."

Read the full amendment online here.

Co-sponsors (87): Beyer, Biggs, Blumenauer, Bonamici, Brown, Brownley, Buck, Butterfield,Carbajal, Cárdenas, Cicilline, Cisneros, Cohen, Connolly, Cox, Crow, DeGette, DeFazio, Dingell, Engel, Escobar, Eshoo, Espaillat, Gaetz, Gallego, Garamendi, García, Grijalva, Haaland, Josh Harder, Houlahan, Hill, Himes, Huffman, Jayapal, Kildee, Kilmer, Kim, Kuster, Larson, Barbara Lee, John Lewis, Lieu, Andy Levin, Lofgren, Lowenthal, Lujan, Malinowski, McCollum, McGovern, Meeks, Moulton, Napolitano, Neguse, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Perlmutter, Pocan, Porter, Pressley, Price, Raskin, Max Rose, Rouda, Ruppersberger, Schakowsky, Schrier, Schweikert, Serrano, Mikie Sherrill, Slotkin, Adam Smith, Spanberger, Speier, Takano, Mike Thompson, Tlaib, Tonko, Torres-Small, Trahan, Velazquez, Waters, Watson-Coleman, Welch, Wexton, Wild

Supporting Orgs: Americans for Prosperity, Concerned Veterans for America, Council for a Livable World, Demand Progress, Foreign Policy for America, FreedomWorks, Friends Committee on National Legislation, J Street, NIAC Action, Peace Action, Ploughshares Fund, VoteVets, Win Without War

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About the Office

Congressman Khanna represents the 17th District of California, which covers communities in Silicon Valley. Visit his website at khanna.house.gov. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @RepRoKhanna.