STATEMENT: Gottheimer and Lawler Joint Statement on Khanna and Massie War Powers Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, February 20, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement:

“So long as ‘Death to America’ remains the rallying cry of the Iranian regime, Iran will remain a persistent and serious threat to our men and women in uniform, our allies, and global stability.

We know that Tehran is still pursuing a nuclear weapon and, since the June conflict, has moved aggressively to rebuild its ballistic missile capabilities — a direct threat to our brave service members and key democratic allies. 

Iran, the world’s leading state-sponsor of terror, continues to fund and arm terrorist proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, groups responsible for killing and injuring scores of Americans. Iran-backed Hamas carried out the October 7 massacre that killed 1,200 people, including 46 Americans. The Houthis, whose flag declares ‘Death to America,’ have repeatedly attacked U.S. servicemembers and targeted American ships in support of Iran. Iran bears responsibility for the deaths of 603 U.S. troops in Iraq, facilitated Al-Qaeda, and has directed assassination plots against American leaders. This record represents only a fraction of Iran’s long pattern of aggression, and it makes clear why we must preserve the ability to defend our troops and our homeland.

At home, the regime is waging war on its own people. Following nationwide protests, reports indicate that thousands have been massacred and many more imprisoned, with even mass burials to conceal the scale of the crackdown, all of this at the direction of the Ayatollah. We stand with the Iranian people who are demanding basic rights and dignity, and we are committed to protecting them from the regime’s savagery.

That is why we oppose the Massie-Khanna War Powers Resolution to prohibit the use of force against Iran. We respect and defend Congress’s constitutional role in matters of war. Oversight and debate are absolutely vital. However, this resolution would restrict the flexibility needed to respond to real and evolving threats and risks signaling weakness at a dangerous moment.

Congress should be briefed on any planned military action in compliance with the War Powers Act. It is also essential that the appropriate committees are fully and promptly briefed. Congress must not limit our ability to protect Americans and our allies.”

###