Dear Community Member, 

The U.S. conflict in Iran is about to be the least-debated prolonged war in American history. That is what happens when a president commits troops to conflict without the consensus of the American people, without coordinating with Congress, and without complying with the Constitution.

That is why I voted YES on the War Powers Resolution mandating Congressional authorization for any further conflict in Iran.

Although this president campaigned on ending forever wars, in his first year alone, his Administration invaded seven sovereign nations, eight different times. In every single instance, the President ignored the will of the American people.

Rep. Panetta spoke in favor of the War Powers Resolution at a press conference this week with Members of Congress who also are veterans.  To view his remarks, click here or the above photo.

There is no doubt that Iran has blood on its hands. Its human rights violations, nuclear ambitions, regional missile attacks, support of terrorism, and the threat it poses to our allies, including Israel and Jordan, must be aggressively confronted.

But the President has failed not only to make the case for military action, but also to tell the American people why Iran poses an imminent threat to the United States. Instead, he has relied on incoherent justifications for attacking a sovereign country and committing our troops to this conflict. Although the military planning appears to be successful, the Administration continues to offer dubious, shifting, and contradictory rationales for the war and we still do not know this Administration’s goals, or its strategy for the day after.

What we do know is that airstrikes do not lead to regime change, especially with a regime and military as sprawling and decentralized as Iran's. This is not Venezuela, nor just about regime change. It appears it will be about regime collapse. That means that more time, more resources, and more troops will need to be committed by the United States. That means that more debate must be conducted by Congress and across our country.

Rep. Panetta spoke to a local TV station about the War Powers Resolution.  To view the clip, click here or the above photo above.

Never in our history has the United States started a war of this magnitude without some form of debate or buy-in from Congress or the American public. For there is no greater act of government than war which requires the consent of the governed.

That is why, today, I voted for the bipartisan War Powers Resolution to ensure explanation and accountability from the Administration, debate and deliberation from Congress, and consensus and concordance from our constituents.

Although the resolution that we voted on failed, I support two other war power resolutions so that Congress can continue the debate over any further military involvement in Iran. I believe that we must have more debate, not less when it comes to Congressional authorization to declare war. This is not just about a President’s failure to consult Congress. This also is about Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to demand consultation, accountability, and authorization from the Administration. The American people deserve a Congress that makes that type of demand from this Administration. As an Afghanistan War veteran and as your U.S. Representative, supporting these types of war powers resolutions is my responsibility to you, to our Congressional institution, and to my oath to the Constitution.

This Administration finds that wars are easy to start. However, the history of our nation proves that wars are hard to end. Now more than ever, Congress must do its job and fulfill our responsibilities under the U.S. Constitution and for the American people.

Follow me on facebook, x, or bluesky to keep updated on my work to ensure the U.S. Congress upholds our obligations under the U.S. Constitution. I look forward to working together in our continued fight for our values and service to the people of California’s 19th Congressional District.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Panetta
United States Representative
19th Congressional District, California