By Gloria Ogbonna
During a heated discussion on All In with Chris Hayes on MSNBC Wednesday, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) made it clear that he will not support additional funding for President Donald Trump’s military operations against Iran, strongly criticizing the conflict as both unlawful and dangerous.
Speaking with host Chris Hayes, Van Hollen responded to new estimates about the rapidly rising cost of the war. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the first week of military operations alone cost approximately $11.3 billion, averaging between $1 billion and $2 billion per day. Hayes asked the senator directly whether he would support a supplemental spending bill that Congress may soon consider to continue financing the war effort.
Van Hollen did not hesitate in his response.
“Oh, I’m a hell no on any more money for this war,” he said emphatically. “This is an illegal and reckless war that is making Americans less safe, not more secure. The best way to protect our national interests and safeguard our troops is to stop funding a war that should never have been started in the first place.”
The Maryland senator argued that continued financial support for the conflict would only prolong instability and increase risks for American service members deployed in the region. He also warned that lawmakers should remain cautious of political strategies that might be used to gain support for the funding package.
Van Hollen suggested that the administration and its allies in Congress may attempt to attach other measures to the supplemental spending bill—such as disaster relief funding for certain states or additional foreign aid—in order to attract votes from lawmakers who might otherwise oppose the war funding.
“You’re going to hear more about how they plan to add other provisions to this supplemental package,” he said. “Things like disaster relief or foreign assistance may be included in order to tempt members of Congress to vote yes. They’ll try to sprinkle in popular items to make it harder for people to oppose the bill.”
However, Van Hollen insisted that lawmakers should not allow those tactics to influence their decisions when it comes to funding the conflict.
“We should not allow anyone to buy votes for this war,” he said. “Congress needs to stand firm and reject any attempt to continue pouring billions of taxpayer dollars into a conflict that is both dangerous and misguided.”
The senator also noted that the supplemental appropriations package being discussed in Congress could reach as much as $50 billion, significantly increasing the financial commitment to the military campaign.
Van Hollen concluded by urging his colleagues on Capitol Hill to oppose the proposal when it comes up for a vote.
“This war is a mistake,” he said. “If we want to protect our troops, our country, and our long-term national interests, the responsible choice is to vote no on this supplemental funding.”
The debate over the war’s cost and legality continues to intensify in Washington, with lawmakers divided over whether the United States should continue escalating military involvement or pursue alternative diplomatic solutions.
Source Breitbart
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