Castro Statement on Israel-Iran Conflict
SAN ANTONIO, TX — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a senior member of both the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on the Israel-Iran conflict:
“I represent Military City, USA — San Antonio, Texas. So many in our city have proudly served their country in the armed forces throughout the years, including during times of war.
“Each Memorial Day, the Edgewood District Veterans honor their classmates who died or were missing in action in the Vietnam War. The name of each service member is called out and parents, siblings or other remaining family members step forward in a procession of remembrance at Edgewood Veterans Stadium. Almost sixty years have passed but the pain and grief of loss is still strong. The war took the service members’ lives while it devastated the spirit of life for their families.
“No place, no city or community has a monopoly when it comes to military sacrifice. I know there are many ceremonies just like Edgewood’s across the country every Memorial Day. But I am certain that the neighborhoods where I grew up, the families of the city that I represent, have sacrificed their fair share.
“They served because they believed in the values of this country. But that trust and goodwill was sometimes abused by political leaders who sent our service members to fight in wars under false pretenses based on bad or biased intelligence, and without a long-term plan or exit strategy. As we witness the first days of the war between Israel and Iran, I feel we’re on the verge of making the same old mistake in a new war in the Middle East.
“I remain hopeful that there is a diplomatic breakthrough to address Iran's nuclear program, despite the best efforts of Benjamin Netanyahu to sabotage negotiations. Even absent such a breakthrough, based on the military, intelligence, and diplomatic assessments I have seen as a senior member of the House Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Committees, I do not believe our participation in this war is in our interest.
"If the President truly believes going to war with Iran is in the national interest, he must make his case to the Congress and the American people and secure an authorization for the use of military force. He has not done so.
"I will support the War Powers resolution introduced by Representatives Massie and Khanna. Much like the vote to go to war with Iraq, this resolution will force members of Congress to make their position on this war clear. I urge them to oppose the war.”