Iran

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on Iran, every day the costs of Trump's disastrous handling of his illegal war with Iran mount up. The most dire cost is human: 13 American servicemembers killed, nearly 400 wounded. They served with valor. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to them, their families, and their brothers and sisters in arms who remain in harm's way.

But that is not the only way the war has cost us, as bad as that is. Trump's war has cost the American taxpayer at least--at least--$29 billion--billion dollars. The war with Iran has cost American families financially, causing inflation to spiral out of control, gas prices to skyrocket, grocery costs to climb.

Trump's reckless war has also cost America strategically. Hundreds of installations in the region have been damaged. America's reputation on the world stage has been further tarnished. American munitions stockpiles are shrinking at a time when we need them to deter other aggressors around the world.

All for what? What is his goal here? He hasn't achieved any of them.

Americans have paid dearly for Trump's blunder in Iran in exchange for little or no gain. The American people may not be benefitting from Trump's war, but our competitors, our rivals across the globe, certainly are. Vladimir Putin couldn't be happier with the Iran war, as Russia rakes in record profits from its energy exports, and the Americans use up munitions that could go to Ukraine.

As Trump drags America's reputation through the mud, China now presents itself as a source of stability and reason on the world stage. According to press reports, the Chinese have planned secret arms sales to Iran and now look to Taiwan with greater eagerness, since America has devoted so many of our military resources to Iran.

If we want to make sure America stays on top, we need to end Trump's illegal war as soon as possible.

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