Democratic veterans on call for end to Iran War

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Currently Democratic lawmakers and newly elected veterans on Capitol Hill are calling for an end to the Iran war.

The lawmakers, including some who have not yet been sworn in, said voters sent them to Washington in part to end the war. They say they owe it to voters to follow through.

Rep.-elect Zach Dembo (D-Ky.) sayid the Iran war was a large factor in him winning a previously a district President Donald Trump won by 15 points in 2024.

“When we’re trying to figure out what made the American people make decisions like that, one of the things has to be from the beginning, as a veteran, as a former prosecutor, and as a teacher, I emphasized my public service, and that politics should never be inserted into spaces like the Pentagon,” Dembo said.

The lawmakers say it is time to take action, beginning with impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“We need to do better by you as citizens. We need to do better by the veterans. We need to do better by our allies. By our service members. And that starts with getting Pete Hegseth out of the Pentagon,” Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) said.

Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) said Congress can end the war through a combination of War Powers Acts and cutting off funding from the Trump administration.

“Speaking for me, I’m not interested in continuing to throw a blank check to Pete Hegseth for a war the American people never authorized. For a war that Congress never authorized,” Deluzio said.

He said Congress needs to play a role in ensuring a safe exit for the troops already in the area.

“Nothing would ever stop commanders from protecting their troops, whether it’s in a withdrawal, or the base, or otherwise. And so this requires leadership. Our military officers gotta do their jobs,” Deluzio said.

The new Congress will be sworn in Jan. 3, 2027.