Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reacted to the successful U.S. airstrike on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq on Thursday evening by complaining that Congress was not consulted in advance about it.
In a statement released by the Speaker’s office on Thursday evening, Pelosi demanded an immediate briefing:
American leaders’ highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. Tonight’s airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. America – and the world – cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return.
The Administration has conducted tonight’s strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress.
Ex-NFL linebacker poised to return to Congress after Texas runoff win with Jasmine Crockett endorsement
Trump-backed Air Force veteran wins GOP runoff in newly-redistricted House district
U.S. military kills alleged narco-terrorist in lethal strike on drug-trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific
Texas Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright and wife share story of 2017 crash that left her permanently paralyzed
Controversial Democrat who called for ‘Zionists’ to be imprisoned toppled after backlash
Breaking: Longtime Democrat Rep. Al Green Has Been Defeated, Will Lose His Seat in Congress
Texas MAGA battle ends with Middleton victory as Chip Roy falls short in AG Race
BREAKING: Ken Paxton Has Defeated John Cornyn in the TX GOP Senate Primary
Watch: RFK Jr. Catches Two Snakes on Dr. Oz’s Patio Using Only His Bare Hands
Spencer Pratt Accuses LA Mayor Karen Bass of Breaking Election Law on Camera
GOP veteran defeats populist candidate in one of America’s most conservative districts
MAGA triumph: Trump ally Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn in bitter Texas GOP primary war
We Could Cover 10 Percent of the Entire Deficit if Gov’t Stopped Accidentally Making Improper Payments
Owner of Trump House Who Was Brutally Beaten Has Died – Wife Believes Politics Motivated Murder
Reparations-Backing California Candidate Run Out of Black LA Neighborhood Over His ‘Devil Blue Eyes’
The full Congress must be immediately briefed on this serious situation and on the next steps under consideration by the Administration, including the significant escalation of the deployment of additional troops to the region.
A spokesperson for Pelosi confirmed that she had not been notified in advance and only spoke to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper after the attack.
Speaker Pelosi spox says she spoke to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper after the Soleimani strike as no advance notification was given as statement indicated. Pelosi + Esper connected last night via text phone around 9:40pm. Call lasted 13 mins.
— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) January 3, 2020
Pelosi has yet to notify the Senate formally about the impeachment of President Donald Trump — 16 days ago.
Story cited here.
