Joe Kennedy III on War & Peace

Opposed 2003 Iraq war; opposed 2013 Syria war

"A present vote is not a disinfectant. It's hard for me to understand when a present vote is going to be a profile in courage," Kennedy said.

Markey said that he regretted his Iraq war vote, which he blamed on being lied to by President George W. Bush. "It was a mistake," Markey said, noting the support his campaign has received from groups like Mass Peace Action.

Stay vigilant with Iran as we leave Afghanistan

As draw-downs of troops in Afghanistan follow the reduction of our forces in Iraq, we must stay vigilant in ensuring that Afghanistan is never used again as a base for attacks against our citizens.

Efforts to contain the growth of nuclear weapons are also essential, including crippling sanctions on Iran to ensure they do not acquire nuclear arms. Iran has made very clear their threat to our good friend and ally Israel. A nuclear-armed Iran is not just a threat to Israel but to the world.

Bring troops home quickly & prudently before end of 2014

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?

A: Yes. As we draw-down the number of troops, we must stay vigilant in ensuring that Afghanistan is never used again as a base for attacks against our citizens. I support bringing our troops home quickly and prudently before the end of 2014.

Crippling sanctions on Iran to ensure no nuclear arms

A: Yes. Efforts to contain the growth of nuclear weapons are essential, including crippling sanctions on Iran to ensure they do not acquire nuclear arms. We can take no options off the table in preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons-- it would pose not only a threat to Israel but potentially set off a destructive nuclear arms race in the region.

No military force against Iran without Congress approval.

Axios.com summary: The House passed a symbolic war powers resolution directing President Trump to halt the use of military force against Iran unless he obtains approval from Congress.

The big picture: A classified briefing on the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani [by the US military] left Democrats and even some Republicans deeply skeptical, with many claiming that officials did not provide evidence that there was an "imminent" threat from Iran. Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rand Paul (R-KY) said they will vote in favor of a similar resolution in the Senate [S J Res 68].

What opponents are saying: Former national security adviser and notorious Iran hawk John Bolton tweeted: "The 1973 War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional. It reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how the Constitution allocated foreign affairs authority between the President and Congress. The Resolution should be repealed." Pres. Trump quote tweeted Bolton and added: "Smart analysis, I fully agree!"

What supporters are saying: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), one of the president's most loyal allies in Congress, was one of the few Republicans to vote in favor of the resolution, stating on the House floor: "Killing Soleimani was the right decision, but engaging in another forever war in the Middle East would be the wrong decision." Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced legislation that would block funding for offensive military force against Iran without congressional authorization. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) is also seeking to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), which has been used repeatedly to justify war in the Middle East in the wake of 9/11. Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the AUMF in 2001, criticizing it as a "blank check."

Legislative outcome: H Con Res 83 Passed House 224-194-13 on 1/9/20; analogous bill S J Res 68 passed Senate 55-45-0 on 2/13/20.