Rep. Krishnamoorthi: This War Is a Disaster

I'd like to begin with the president's post on Iran today, and the suggestion that the U.S. will not be striking the country before the midterms on November 3rd. What could that give Iran the space to do between now and then? Is this something that the regime could take advantage of? Oh, sure. I mean, they could take advantage of it, uh, militarily. Um, they could take advantage of it economically in different ways. Um, in general, it just doesn't make sense for, uh, the leader of the United States to be telegraphing to the world, uh, what our intentions are. But all that being said, this war is a disaster. It's illegal. It's unconstitutional. It's hurting us economically. It's causing my constituents six and $7 gas and diesel, respectively. And, um, people are sick and tired of it. And so, uh, we've got to bring it to a close ASAP. That would have been a better announcement than saying we're not going to take any military strikes until right after the election. Mhm. Congressman it's good to have you back. I'm just reading the president's post on Truth Social. And the first thing he says is we are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran. That's the justification here as a member of the Intel Committee. Are you hearing that as well? And if so, who are we talking to? No, I have no I don't know what he's talking about. And remember, at this point, um, I just don't put a lot of stock in anything that he says. Uh, anytime he says that we're doing something, it's not clear that we're doing it. Um, and, you know, I won't be surprised if tomorrow Iran says, no, we're not having any talks whatsoever. And so, uh, his credibility is shot at this point. And and not only that, but it makes us less safe because it lowers our deterrence. It invites aggression. It's drawing forces from other parts of the world to the, uh, region, to the Middle East region, and thereby encouraging folks like the Chinese Communist Party as well as the Russians. Uh, to, uh, the US is more vulnerable, and that's bad for us, uh, in the long run. Congressman, if he does intend to restart the fighting after the midterms, when Congress will be resuming the lame duck session, is there anything that can be done in the lame duck to put a stop to it? Or will it have to wait until the new Congress that potentially could have 1 or 2 Democratic majorities? Well, look, as you know, the War Powers Resolution in the House is drawing increasing majorities every time that it comes up for a vote. So I suspect it will have increasing majorities again. Um, I think that the question is going to be in the Senate, uh, whether a filibuster proof majority, uh, could emerge. Of course, the president, um, you know, he he has used his control over the base to scare a lot of people. Uh, and the on the other side from voting their conscience on this issue. But after the elections, I'm not really sure, uh, what people who may have lost in the elections or people who are retiring are going to do. And so that's an open question. I think that they may vote with us, uh, for, uh, basically ending this catastrophic conflict. Mhm. You're of course on the China Select Committee as well, Congressman. There was a time when you were a ranking member on that committee, and I'm wondering what you can tell us about China and Russia for that matter, the extent to which they are helping Iran in this conflict, how both of them are helping Iran. Um, we know that the Chinese have provided intelligence data so that the Iranians can actually target our troops. Uh, we know the Russians are, uh, also assisting the Iranians. Of course, the Chinese are buying 80 to 90% of all Iranian oil exports. And so, um, they, uh, both countries are glad. our happy are cheering that we are stuck in this quagmire. This catastrophic, uh, Iran war. And they want it to go on for as long as it possibly can. Um, and they see us as becoming, uh, kind of more vulnerable by the day. They look at our munitions going down. They look at our, uh, drawing forces from the Indo-Pacific theater, for instance, to the Middle East as a big plus for them in the case of China. And, uh, in the case of Russia. The Ukrainians don't have the interceptor missiles that they need, the Pac three interceptor missiles to basically take down the ballistic missiles from Russia, mainly because of the Iran war. They're being expended and wasted in the Iran war. So, um, this is just, uh, a boon for our adversaries right now. On the note of Russia. Congressman, the president has suggested he will be speaking at some point with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, about this, uh, suspected or feared pneumonic plague incident in Siberia. Do you trust the Russians to provide the president, or anyone else, for that matter, with accurate information? No. Um. It took them three days to respond to the W.H.O.. About just one case. Uh, a woman who, uh, died and in Siberia. And they still haven't explained why she died or how she died. Now, in Russia, the public is becoming increasingly skeptical about, um, how she died. Uh, but, you know, to expect Vladimir Putin to be transparent about this or anything is laughable. And I think, um, at this point, I think our, uh, friends, partners and allies, uh, whoever is left in that alliance, we want to kind of use this group of people to suss out exactly what's happening. And we should probably draw the Chinese and others into this discussion as well. Well, is this something that Intel is getting information on? Congressman, I know you're out of session right now. I can only presume there's going to be a hearing on this when you get back. I hope so. Um, I think that, uh, unfortunately, um, this is one of those issues that, um, uh, the administration is not forthcoming to us about what's happening on some of these, uh, global, uh, outbreaks. Um, and, uh, unfortunately, the Russians and others aren't, uh, forthcoming to the world about what's happening. But as we know, from Covid and other pandemics, um, you know, the truth will come out one way or the other. It's best for us to act together rather than to find out when it's too late. Mhm. And finally, uh, Congressman, if we could return to domestic politics, we're obviously within four weeks of the midterm elections. Now, you know, you yourself won't be in the House, uh, for the new Congress. But we've heard some rumblings this week about the notion that the speaker may could, in theory, decide not to seat the new Congress come the beginning of January. In the event that Democrats do take the House majority. Is that a concern you have? Is there recourse to prevent that? Look, I, I'm hopeful that the, uh, majority that we earn in the elections is going to be so, so great, uh, that, um, we shouldn't be, um, we shouldn't have to deal with that situation that you're talking about. However, anything is possible. And so we have to prepare for it accordingly, whether that's through legal action or otherwise. Well, of course, Congressman, you're not going to be taking part in the next Congress. But I wonder if you have advice for Democrats who will and are speaking openly about the prospect of impeaching Donald Trump. Is that the right path? I have yet to meet a single person, a single constituent, who has come to me and said, I would like you as your first priority to take up the impeachment of Donald Trump. Uh, you know, obviously he needs to be held accountable, and there needs to be oversight with regard to, for instance, the Epstein sex trafficking ring or the corruption that pervades this administration or the Iran war or the blanket tariffs. However, the number one issue that I hear about over and over and over again is help me to, um, you know, afford, uh, to live in my respective jurisdiction. Uh, help me to pay for my gas and educate my kids and my health care. And, um, I'm worried about my job. Can you regulate I. Uh, because that's something that, um, unfortunately, this administration is not doing, and I'm concerned about potential job losses as well as, uh, this technology outstripping or outrunning our ability to regulate it. Focus on. So my advice to anybody who takes control in the next Congress is focus on those issues, try to make a difference in the lives of ordinary people who are really struggling right now.