Lawmaker urges Congress to end 'forever war,' says conflict has driven up costs

A lawmaker urged Congress to end the current Middle East war and asserted that the chamber, not the executive branch, must decide the nation's next steps.

The lawmaker said, "The fact is, this war has been a mistake from the start," and argued that "The American people ended forever war in The Middle East. They don't want another." The speaker referenced the 2020 campaign promise of then-candidate President Trump, saying many supporters voted for him because "he said he would not get into another." The speaker added that some Republicans are now "angry with him."

The remarks framed the debate as a choice between foreign engagement and domestic needs. The lawmaker listed voters' priorities — "affordability," "good jobs" and "good health care" — and said those concerns should shape legislative action. On the economic impact of the conflict, the speaker said the administration "has started a war that has ... skyrocketed everything from gasoline to groceries," adding the comment without providing data or sources in the remarks to substantiate the linkage.

Addressing colleagues directly, the lawmaker said "it is past time that we do our job," invoking a colleague identified in the remarks as "mister Godheimer" and urging congressional action rather than unilateral executive decisions. The speaker concluded by asserting the constitutional role of Congress: "We declare war, not the executive branch," and called for the president "to come to us" so that Congress can consider ending the conflict.

There was no formal motion or vote recorded in the transcript of these remarks. The statements represent the lawmaker's position and calls for congressional engagement; the speaker did not provide legislative text, specific timelines, or supporting economic data within the remarks.