WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, tonight issued the following statement:
“President Trump’s address tonight did little to answer the most basic questions the American people deserve when our nation is engaged in a costly and dangerous conflict with Iran. From the outset, this administration has offered a moving target of justifications for this war of choice – none matched by the serious planning required to manage its predictable consequences. Americans are already feeling the impact at the pump, alongside rising prices for diesel, fertilizer, aluminum, and other essentials, with consequences that will continue to ripple through the economy for a long time to come.
“We are told there is a new regime in Iran, but there is no evidence it is any better – and in many ways it may be worse. There is still no clear plan to secure Iran’s nuclear material, its ballistic missile capabilities remain a threat, and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. At the same time, the administration is easing oil sanctions in a way that is sending billions of dollars back to the very regime we are confronting.
“Thirteen American service members have already paid the ultimate price. We owe them, their families, and every man and woman in uniform clarity, accountability, and a strategy worthy of their sacrifice. Until this administration can clearly articulate a path forward, Congress must demand answers and be prepared to act.”