Schneider Statement on U.S. Airstrike Killing Qassem Soleimani

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) released the following statement following a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds force:

"No American should grieve over the killing of Qassem Soleimani, a terrorist and war criminal responsible for hundreds of American deaths and incalculable carnage in Iraq, Syria and the region.

"Unlike other terrorist leaders including bin Laden and al-Baghdadi, Soleimani led a state-sponsored force, and the President's decision to escalate U.S. actions and attack a state actor may likely result in retaliatory steps from Iran or its proxy forces. It is incumbent on President Trump to protect American personnel abroad, coordinate defenses with our allies in the region including Israel, and prevent dangerous escalation in an already volatile part of the world.

"President Trump must directly communicate with Congress, with the American people, and with our international partners to lay out a comprehensive, long-term American strategy that contains the Iranian regime, stops the situation from spiraling out of control, and protects American interests and our allies. This strategy must also include a plan to work with our allies to prevent Iran from accelerating its nuclear program toward ‘break out status' and to ensure Tehran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

"Ultimately, any sustained action against Iran requires Congressional approval. The Administration does not have Congressional Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) or a declaration of war against Iran. The American people do not want an unnecessary war and are rightly anxious about where we go from here."