Congressman Cleaver's Statement on U.S. Strike Against Qasem Soleimani

(Washington, D.C.) – United States Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement in response to a U.S. military strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force.

"I fear this decision is a grave miscalculation by the President. Such a monumental escalation in tensions with Iran, without consulting congressional leadership and our allies abroad, puts our servicemembers in danger and has the potential for disastrous ramifications. The American people are sick of never-ending wars in the Middle East, and I'm sick of the Executive Branch's continued usurpation of congressional authority. This moment is a test of whether or not we learned our lesson in Iraq, and I pray that we seek all opportunities to de-escalate this volatile situation.

The administration needs to brief the Congress immediately, and explain to the American people and our allies around the world why they have brought us to the brink of war and what the strategy is moving forward."

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matthew Helfant at 202-225-4535 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.