Washington state’s congressional delegation reacted swiftly after President Donald Trump ordered military strikes on Iran, with Democrats condemning the action as unconstitutional and calling for Congress to reassert its war powers.
Jayapal: ‘Vote immediately’ to stop war
Pramila Jayapal
Rep. Pramila Jayapal sharply criticized the strikes in a March 1 post on X.
“In the dead of night, Donald Trump bombed Iran WITHOUT congressional authorization. No discussion, no debate, and no imminent threat,” Jayapal said. “One man’s tantrum doesn’t get to drag the entire country into an expensive, unconstitutional war.”
Jayapal said three Americans have already died and called for an immediate vote on a War Powers Resolution to halt further military action.
Strickland: Escalation risks, But Iran ‘Must Be Stopped’
Marilyn Strickland
Rep. Marilyn Strickland struck a more measured tone, criticizing Trump’s unilateral action while also condemning Iran’s regime.
“Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war, and Trump’s reckless action in Iran has dangerously escalated tensions and put American lives at risk,” Strickland said in a Feb. 28 statement.
At the same time, she described the Islamic Republic as “the most prolific state sponsor of terrorism in the world” and said it “must be stopped.” Strickland called on the administration to present a clear national security objective, outline the role of allies in the region, and explain how the U.S. would avoid becoming mired in a prolonged Middle East conflict.
Strickland, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, did not explicitly call for a War Powers vote but emphasized Congress’s constitutional role and the need for transparency.
Broader Democratic opposition
Patty Murray
Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Rep. Adam Smith each underscored Congress’s constitutional role and warned of the risks of escalation without a defined strategy.
Murray called on congressional leaders to reconvene lawmakers immediately.
“Congress must return immediately and vote to put an end to this war,” she said, urging members to go on record and arguing the American people deserve debate before the nation enters another potentially prolonged Middle East conflict.
Cantwell said the president should not have initiated “a large-scale attack on Iran without Congressional approval, the support of key allies around the world, or having made his case to the American people.”
While calling Iran “by every definition an enemy of the United States,” Cantwell argued the more durable solution lies in tougher bipartisan sanctions and rebuilding the international coalition that constrained Iran’s nuclear program under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). She said Congress must demand constitutionally required approval for any protracted conflict and require administration officials to testify publicly about objectives and strategy.
Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said he opposed the “preemptive strikes” and warned the U.S. risks being dragged into “a war of choice with no strategic endgame.” He also criticized abandoning the JCPOA, arguing diplomatic engagement, coalition building, and targeted sanctions would be more effective than military escalation.
State Party condemns ‘War of Choice’
The Washington State Democratic Party issued a statement calling the military action a “war of choice” and urging a diplomatic solution. The party also raised concerns about reported Iranian civilian casualties and the impact on Iranian American families, particularly in light of prior travel bans and deportations.
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