A group of senators is trying to attach a new condition to the next short-term bill that keeps the government open.
As reported by The Daily Caller, Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders joined Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Michael Bennet of Colorado, and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois in a joint statement. They said they would not accept a short-term continuing resolution that provides billions of additional dollars for the war in Iran, a dispute that could lead to another shutdown if the parties cannot agree.
The senators posted the full statement on Bennets official Senate website. The American people have been clear: We must end President Trumps illegal and disastrous war with Iran. This conflict has driven up the cost of gas, groceries, and fertilizer, they said.
More than 20 American service members have been killed and hundreds more wounded, while achieving none of President Trumps stated goals and harming civilians across the region, the statement continued. As we approach the December 11 funding deadline, we should not accept a short-term spending deal that continues to provide billions of additional dollars for President Trumps war of choice.
Any short-term package must include language that restricts the Trump Administration from using appropriated funds to continue his war against Iran. They warned that a funding bill without that restriction would leave the conflict on its present course.
We know from Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq that these wars can take decades to end hurting our economy, draining our military resources, and making Americans less safe, the statement said. Meanwhile, Americans all across the country will continue bearing the cost, with higher grocery bills, higher gas prices, and a higher toll on our troops.
The American people do not want more war in the Middle East but that is what President Trump has given them. Congress cannot allow Trump to continue his conflict we must force him to end it, they said. Not doing so will only prolong the American peoples pain, and opens the door to further escalation as he has threatened.
When we vote on appropriations, we intend to fund the government and stop funds for this war, they said. It is what the American people demand, and what they deserve.
The official release noted that the statement follows a letter from Bennet urging Senate colleagues to block any funding package that includes additional appropriations for the war. The letter had already staked out that position before the joint statement was issued.
Congress will have to pass a new continuing resolution by Dec. 11 to avert a government shutdown. The wars cost reached $47.1 billion as of mid-October, according to the Pentagons estimates.
The report said voters overwhelmingly disapproved of the Iran war during the midterm elections, helping Democrats regain majorities in the House and Senate. Fifty-seven percent of Americans opposed the war, while 33.6 percent supported it as of Wednesday, according to the Silver Bulletin.
Generation Z showed the lowest levels of support for the Iran war among all generations surveyed by Navigator Research. Only 30 percent of Gen Z supported the war, while 44 percent of Baby Boomers and 55 percent of the Silent Generation supported President Trumps military actions.
The Senate struck down a final war powers resolution before the midterms, which would have directed President Trump to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in Iran. The president would not have been obligated to comply with that measure because it was concurrent.
President Trump publicly criticized Senate Republicans in June when both chambers passed a concurrent war powers resolution. The new demand from Sanders and his Democratic colleagues now moves the fight from a symbolic war-powers vote to the spending bill that has to pass if federal agencies are to stay open past Dec. 11.
Whether they can force an Iran funding restriction into a short-term deal will be answered in that vote. The senators have said they intend to fund the government, but only if the next package also stops the money for the war.
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