January 8th, 2020

Auchincloss Calls on Congress to Take Immediate Action to Prevent Unconstitutional War with Iran

MASSACHUSETTS - In an op-ed today in WBUR, Massachusetts 4th District Congressional Candidate Jake Auchincloss called on Congress to repeal the post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force and pass the Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act, which “prohibits funds from being used for kinetic military operations against Iran unless Congress specifically authorizes such an action” (with exceptions such as in response to an imminent threat). 

“Congress must stop these forever wars”, said Auchincloss. “It must immediately pass H.R. 2354: the Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act. Then, it must repeal the post 9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force. The replacement for the AUMF should be far more restrictive of executive war-making. And finally, Congress — through its power of the purse and power of war — should scale down the U.S. military footprint in the Middle East.”

Auchincloss served as a captain in the United States Marines. He commanded infantry in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2012 and a reconnaissance unit in Panama in 2015. 

In Helmand, he led combat patrols through villages contested by the Taliban. In Panama, his team of elite reconnaissance Marines partnered with Colombian special operations to train the Panamanian Public Forces in drug interdiction tactics.

In the op-ed, Auchincloss wrote:

As a general, Qassem Soleimani built proxy militias that helped Iran project regional power. They killed Americans, civilians and pro-democracy forces. As a martyr, though, Soleimani could be even more lethal. He is casus belli -- the tipping point into yet another war.

I fought in the first of the 9/11 wars, as a Marine infantry commander in Afghanistan. That invasion achieved nothing of strategic significance; not then, not since. On patrol through Taliban villages, the falsehoods and the jingoism that beat the drums of war back home were quickly made hollow, and all that was left was roadside bombs, scared villagers and demoralized young Marines.

The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act is sponsored by five members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, including Senators Warren and Markey, and Representatives Joe Kennedy III, Jim McGovern, and Ayanna Pressley.

About Jake:

Jake Auchincloss is running to represent Massachusetts’ Fourth District in Congress.

After graduating from college, Jake joined the Marines and commanded an infantry platoon in Afghanistan and a multi-national special operations mission to Panama.

Back home, Jake has continued service as a city councilor in Newton, where he graduated from the public schools. Jake's positive, thoughtful leadership over two terms, especially on transportation and the environment, earned him re-election to a third term this November.

In the private sector, Jake has worked on transportation as a manager at a Fortune 100 innovation lab in Boston and on cybersecurity at a startup. He holds degrees in finance and economics from MIT Sloan and Harvard College.

For press inquiries please contact press@jakeauchincloss.com