Legislation Authorizing the Use of Military Force Against Iran Gains Traction
October 30, 2013, Washington, D.C. – Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ/8th) introduced legislation on October 15th that, amongst other things, would authorize the president of the United States to use military force against Iran. This week, thirteen additional members of Congress have become cosponsors of H.R.3292, bringing the total number of cosponsors to twenty-eight.
Franks’ legislation is called the United States-Iran Nuclear Negotiations Act. However, its most important purpose is not to promote diplomacy but to authorize the use of force against Iran. Although it doesn’t explicitly define itself as an authorization bill, its language effectively makes it one. The headline of Franks’ own press release indicating his intention to introduce the bill read: “Franks Calls for Authorization of Military Force in Iran.”
While we, as a nation, never want to take the military option off the table, an authorization for the use of force against Iran at this time, without the support of the president, would be unprecedented and potentially damaging to U.S. interests.
U.S. and international economic pressures have had an impact on Iran’s leadership, pushing them toward the negotiating table. Now is the time to put diplomacy to the test and not potentially poison the atmosphere with unwarranted and ill-timed legislation.
Take action today!
Click here to read PAAIA’s op-ed on H.R.3292.
