Long Island’s congressional delegation split along party lines Thursday, March 5, as the U.S. House voted on a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to conduct further military strikes against Iran without congressional approval.
The measure failed in a 219-212 vote, defeating an effort to require the president to seek authorization from Congress before continuing military action against Iran. The resolution was introduced under the War Powers Resolution, which was enacted during the Vietnam War to give Congress a greater role in decisions about U.S. military engagements.
Long Island’s four representatives — Tom Suozzi (Glen Cove), Laura Gillen (Rockville Center), Nick LaLota (Amityville) and Andrew Garbarino (Bayport) — were divided along party lines in the vote.
Suozzi, a Democrat who represents District 3, said he supported the resolution because he opposed granting the administration unchecked authority to continue military operations.
“I will vote for the War Powers Resolution because I cannot support unchecked authority for the Administration to engage, indefinitely, in an already deadly war with unknown size and scope,” Suozzi said in a statement. “I, like the overwhelming majority of Americans, do not want another prolonged war in the Middle East.”
Suozzi added that he has introduced an alternative measure that would allow military activity to continue for a limited period.
He also said any sustained operations should be debated by Congress and the American public.
Gillen, also a Democrat, who represents District 4, said Iran remains a major threat to the United States and its allies but cautioned against escalating the conflict without a clear strategy.
She said Iran has long supported militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis and has continued efforts to develop a nuclear weapon.
Gillen said the joint military operations carried out by the United States and Israel have weakened Iran’s leadership and military capabilities but warned against deploying ground troops.
Source: LI Press
