“Going back to 1973, there have been a total of 17 War Powers votes in Congress. That’s when the War Powers became law in 1973. 17 votes in 53 years. 14 of the 17 votes were from Democrats aimed specifically at President Trump.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke ahead of another vote on a Democrat-led War Powers Resolution. Senator Barrasso urged his colleagues to reject this Democrat delay tactic because its goal is to undermine the President of the United States.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“I come to the Floor having just heard the Senator from Oregon proposing a War Powers Act today. I heard him say this is about protecting the Constitution. What they’re doing, what the Democrats are doing, is not about protecting the Constitution. It is about obstructing the President of the United States. That’s what’s happening here today. That’s exactly what Democrats are trying to do.

“Going back to 1973, there have been a total of 17 War Powers votes in Congress. That’s when the War Powers became law in 1973. 17 votes in 53 years. 14 of the 17 votes were from Democrats aimed specifically at President Trump.

“Democrats introduced absolutely zero War Powers Resolutions under President Obama. That’s despite his strikes in Libya. Democrats introduced absolutely zero War Powers Resolutions under President Biden, despite his actions in Syria. This is the eighth vote on Iran this very Congress. We’ve also had War Powers votes on Cuba and Venezuela.

“For nearly fifty years, Iran has waged war against our country. Iran is the world’s largest and leading sponsor of terrorism. They regularly chant ‘Death to America.’ Iran has murdered thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Iranians. Iran has tried to build nuclear weapons.

“For decades, American Presidents have pledged that Iran would not get a nuclear weapon. Only President Trump had the courage and the strength to keep his word.

“Earlier this year, President Trump responded with military precision. Now, we are deploying economic pressure as well as diplomatic pressure. Under President Trump, America continues to restore peace through strength around the world.

“Today, Iran is losing $500 million per day in revenue. They lost the same amount yesterday. They will lose the same amount tomorrow. Iran’s cash cow of oil exports has collapsed. By contrast, America is pumping out record amounts of oil and natural gas. Iran’s economy is on life support. Its leadership is eliminated.

“Thirteen days ago, President Trump sent a letter to Congress about the conflict with Iran. The President made clear that major fighting has halted. The American ceasefire has held for more than a month. Our naval blockade is working.

“This week, President Trump meeting with China overseas. Democrats right here in the Senate want to pull out the rug from under him.

“Let’s be clear. President Trump has complied with the law. Enforcing a blockade is not the same as active ‘hostilities’ under the War Powers Act. That is the established and binding precedent that governs the United States Senate. Democrats don’t seem to care.

“Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said in January that their goal is to ‘flood the Senate calendar.’ They want to run out the clock on the Republican majority.

“The Senate has rejected each and every one of these Democrat delays. We need to reject this one as well. We should reject it because it is partisan. We should reject it because it is written by Democrats to weaken our Commander in Chief. We should reject it because it encourages Iran to doubt the resolve of our nation.

“Iran is going to be watching this vote today. China will be watching this vote. America must continue to show strength and resolve.”

###