Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Mr. President, Claims · 16 wordsI rise in support of my legislation to end President Trump’s unauthorized, illegal war with Iran. Positioning · 53 wordsThis war will go down in history as one of the greatest strategic failures in modern American history.Unearned certainty It was launched without a clear plan, executed without a coherent strategy, and has become a costly, self-inflicted disaster for the American people. Every justification that we were given for this conflict has proven hollow.PositioningUnearned certainty Claims · 89 wordsWe were told that Iran’s nuclear program would be eliminated. Instead, Iran still holds nuclear material, ¹and its leaders may be more determined than ever to build a weapon. We were told that the Iranian regime would crumble; instead, it now holds new leverage of the world’s energy supply in the Strait of Hormuz.² We were told this President would bring peace and lower prices; instead, he has given us war, pain, and higher prices. New York families are struggling to afford groceries and keep up with the rent, Positioning · 6 wordsand what is President Trump doing?PositioningOff point Claims · 57 wordsPouring billions of tax dollars into an open-ended war in Iran. This reckless war is driving up monthly bills and making everyday life harder for working families. This administration demands billions for wars abroad, then claims we can’t afford to improve our schools or repair our roads or lower the cost of healthcare for millions of Americans. Positioning · 51 wordsPresident Trump has made it clear that he doesn’t factor in how Americans are doing financially, but the families I represent feel it every single day. Every time they fill the gas tank and watch the numbers climb, New Yorkers are being forced to pay a premium for this President’s instability.PositioningOff point Claims · 34 wordsAccording to data from the Joint Economic Committee, the average family has to pay an additional $432 on gas alone since this war began.³ Statewide, that is an extra $2 billion at the pump.⁴ Procedure · 4 wordsLet me repeat that.Procedure Claims · 18 wordsThat is an extra $2 billion at the pump.Off point Nationwide, Americans have paid $60 billion more on gas.⁵ Anecdote · 41 wordsEvery time I go home, I hear from constituents about their concerns: the cost of healthcare, the cost of gas, the cost to keep lights on, and put food on the table. Those are the conversations happening in kitchens across America.Anecdote Positioning · 17 wordsThat is what we should be focused on here in Washington, not dropping bombs around the world.PositioningOff point Claims · 20 wordsAnd let us not forget there is a human cost to this war that no dollar figure could ever capture. Positioning · 21 wordsOur servicemembers did not volunteer to be pawns in a chaotic, unauthorized war with no plan and no end in sight.Positioning Claims · 24 wordsEighteen American heroes have already paid the ultimate sacrifice.⁶ Eighteen families have been shattered. Just last week, New York lost one of our own: Anecdote · 47 wordsSGT Angel Rampersad of Queens.⁷ Sergeant Rampersad was a true patriot who begged her mother to let her enlist the moment she was old enough. She served this country courageously and honorably for more than 6 years before she was killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan.⁸Anecdote Claims · 11 wordsOur servicemembers take one of the most dangerous jobs there is. Positioning · 50 wordsIn return, we owe them a sacred obligation. We do not send them into harm’s way without a clear mission, defined objectives, and the support of the American people. The President’s war with Iran is a betrayal of that obligation. New Yorkers and all Americans deserve more. They deserve better.Positioning Procedure · 5 wordsSo I ask my colleagues: ProcedurePositioning · 36 wordsHow many more servicemembers will we lose? How many more billions of dollars must families pay at the pump? How many more empty promises must be made from an out-of-control administration before this body finally acts?Positioning Claims · 12 wordsUnder the Constitution, we have the power to end this war today. The ask · 13 wordsLet’s use it. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this resolution. Procedure · 30 wordsI yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Lummis). The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.Procedure