May 15, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 81 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S2848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                  Iran

  Mr. President, on Iran, over of the past few days, it has come to 
light in public reporting that the Trump administration's national 
security team has reviewed a plan to deploy as many as 120,000--yes, 
you heard that right, 120,000--U.S. troops in the Mideast should 
tensions with Iran escalate. I was stunned to read this report in the 
New York Times yesterday.
  The administration just started a maximum pressure campaign of 
sanctions against Iran, but is it simultaneously reviewing plans for 
war? That would make no sense.
  Meanwhile, the President oddly denied the report while also saying he 
would ``absolutely'' send ground troops to the Middle East. But if he 
did, it would be a ``heck''--and I am paraphrasing--``of a lot more 
troops [than 120,000].''
  Did we learn the lessons of the last decade? Do we know that we have 
to spend our time focusing on building up this country here, not build 
roads and bridges in the Middle East but do them here?
  There is an alarming lack of clarity here. There is a lack of 
strategy, and there is a lack of consultation. The President ought to 
come up with a strategy and make it clear to Congress. An adventure 
like this--120,000 troops or a large number of troops--should have to 
be approved by Congress. It certainly should be discussed with Congress 
ahead of time. There need to be open hearings and closed briefings with 
the committees of jurisdiction immediately.
  Any potential increase in our military presence in the Middle East 
should require consultation with Congress, and anything beyond that 
would require this body to act.
  President Trump, what is your strategy? Where are you headed? Why 
aren't you talking to Congress about it?