Christopher Lancia says he would not fund an expanded Iran conflict without clear intelligence and a defined mission

I don’t believe war is ever a good thing. I believe in protecting America and the American people. If that means taking military action against Iran to prevent them from developing nuclear weapons, or using tough economic sanctions to stop them, then those options need to be on the table. But we also have to understand who we’re dealing with. The Iranian regime has a long history of hostility toward the United States, and its leaders have repeatedly used the phrase “Death to America.” We cannot ignore that, but we also cannot rush into another military conflict without understanding the consequences. First, let’s understand something about our Constitution. Only Congress has the power to formally declare war. The president, as commander in chief, has the authority to direct military operations, but that authority is not unlimited. Congress also controls federal funding, including military spending. And that’s where Congress has a tremendous responsibility. If Congress refuses to authorize additional funding for a military conflict, it can place significant limits on how that conflict continues. I do not want to see another generation of young Americans sent into a prolonged war without a clear mission, a legitimate national security reason, and an exit strategy. I’ve seen what war does to people. We’ve lost too many young men and women. Too many have come home suffering from PTSD, missing limbs, and injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Their families suffer right alongside them. We cannot keep repeating the mistakes of the past. There must be a legitimate reason for military action. There must be credible evidence that America or our allies face a serious threat. We cannot simply get involved in another endless conflict. The Iranian regime has been a problem for nearly 47 years, dating back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the hostage crisis. I believe previous administrations, including Ronald Reagan’s, missed opportunities to confront that threat more effectively. We should never have allowed this situation to reach the point it has today. But that doesn’t mean every problem needs to be solved with bombs and American troops. As a member of Congress, I would not support additional funding for an expanded military conflict without clear intelligence, documented evidence of the threat, a defined mission, and a full understanding of what we’re asking our military to do. I would want to review that intelligence myself before making a decision that could put American lives at risk. I will always support doing whatever is necessary to defend the United States and protect the American people. But I will never support sending our sons and daughters into another unnecessary war simply because Washington decides that’s what we should do. America’s security comes first, but so do the lives of the men and women who defend it. I hope that answers your question. I’m giving you the most honest answer I can because this is exactly how I feel. Christopher Lancia Lancia for Congress 2026