Schumer Floor Remarks On President Trump’s Erratic & Impulsive Foreign Policy And Supporting The War Powers Resolution

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer spoke today on the Senate floor regarding the Trump administration’s impulsive and erratic foreign policy. He also spoke in favor of the Kaine and Sanders War Powers resolutions. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

The Senate will soon consider Sen. Kaine’s War Power Resolution, which would prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran without congressional approval. It is a crucial vote that will correctly assert this body’s constitutional authority over matters of war and peace. And it is certainly timely.

The past few weeks have highlighted the president’s impulsive, erratic, and often reckless foreign policy, the consequences of which have made Americans less safe and unnecessarily put our armed forces in harm’s way. From North Korea to Syria to Russia, it is impossible to say that the world is a safer place today than when President Trump took office. And it is very possible to say that President Trump, by his impulsive, erratic, and ego-driven actions, have made things worse. And with respect to Iran, the president’s recent actions have increased the risk of further hostilities in the Middle East.

The president campaigned on getting the U.S. out of endless wars in the Middle East, but the president has deployed thousands more U.S. troops in the Middle East with hardly an explanation to Congress or to the American people.

I have long been concerned that the president’s chaotic and impulsive decision-making might stumble us into war. With Iran, like with many other places around the globe, the president’s policy has brought us closer to the kind of endless war the president promised we’d avoid.

It is past time for Congress to place a check on this president. On matters of war and peace, congressional oversight, congressional prerogatives are not optional. I urge my colleagues on both sides to vote in favor of the Kaine resolution.

Senator Sanders also has a bill that would deny funding for a war with Iran, of which I am a proud co-sponsor. The Senate should consider that legislation as well. And as the situation with Iran continues to evolve, the administration must come back and brief Congress on all major developments, troop deployments, and long-term strategy in the region.

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