REP. HOYLE INTRODUCES THE NO WAR APPROPRIATIONS THROUGH RECONCILIATION ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) introduced the No War Appropriations through Reconciliation Act, or the No WAR Act, to prevent Congress from fast-tracking funding for a war in Iran through a backdoor budget process.
“If Congress is going to spend money to put American boots on the ground in another foreign war for oil, we need to have a transparent process and an up or down vote in Congress,” said Rep. Val Hoyle. “While we have spent $45 billion on this war over the past 60 days, Congress has not weighed in.”
“This is the very least the American people should expect from Congress: For us to stand up for We the People and exercise our Constitutional duty to either declare war or ensure that we end this expensive, immoral and unconstitutional military action in Iran.”
Endorsements
The No WAR Act is endorsed by MoveOn, Council for a Livable World, J Street, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Center for International Policy and Foreign Policy for America.
Move On – Katie Bethell, Executive Director of MoveOn Civic Action
“The American people are clear: Not another dime for Donald Trump’s war in Iran. MoveOn members applaud those in Congress who will fight to stop Donald Trump from escalating this war, and ensure that the money he wants to spend on war goes toward making healthcare, childcare, housing, and gas more affordable.”
Council For a Livable World – John Tierney, Executive Director
"Congress should not fund a war it has not authorized, especially through back-door means. Year after year, the Pentagon faces serious questions about its stewardship of American taxpayer dollars. Opening the door to spend billions more for a war that Congress has not authorized and for which the American people have still not received a real explanation is absurd. Council for a Livable World is pleased to support this critical legislation from Rep. Hoyle, which would restrain the Trump administration's unconstitutional, unjustified and unnecessary war in Iran. The American people want and deserve real transparency on how our tax dollars are spent, and attempts to push additional funding through an inherently untransparent process are reckless."
J Street – Hannah Morris, VP of Government Affairs
"The war with Iran has been an unmitigated disaster. We must ensure that Republicans do not force through additional funds to continue this war of choice via the reconciliation process.
We are grateful to Congresswoman Hoyle for introducing this legislation to ensure that our democratic processes are not circumvented in pursuit of this reckless, unauthorized war that has no real end in sight.
We urge her colleagues in Congress to support this bill while pushing for a durable ceasefire and diplomatic agreement.”
Friends Committee on National Legislation – Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East Policy
“It’s welcome news that Representative Val Hoyle and her House colleagues have introduced this bill to block funding for unauthorized military operations against Iran through reconciliation or other procedural workarounds. Escalation is already costing civilian lives and shaking the global economy. Congress must not approve another penny for a war of choice that risks mass casualties and regional destabilization. This is about reclaiming Congress’s constitutional authority over war powers and preventing another unauthorized conflict. Members should support this bill and make clear that diplomacy, not war, must guide U.S. policy toward Iran.”
The bill is co-sponsored by Budget Committee Ranking Member Brendan Boyle (PA-02).
The full bill text can be found here.
Background
The Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 allows Congress to expedite passage of budget-related legislation while bypassing the Senate filibuster, a process known as budget reconciliation. The Trump administration is now requesting $1.5 trillion in military spending for FY2027, $350 billion of which it wants funded through a party-line reconciliation bill. The No War through Reconciliation Act prevents Congress from abusing that process to fund an unauthorized war.
Since this war began, 6,000 people have died, including 1,701 civilians, over 254 children and at least 13 U.S. Service Members. Oil prices have increased by 40%, fertilizer costs have risen by almost 50% and Oregonians are spending over $150 million more cumulatively on gas.
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