In the wake of bombing strikes conducted on three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, Lake County’s member of the House of Representatives continued his call for Congress to return to Session. 

“It is Congress’ Constitutional responsibility to debate and approve any use of military force,” Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) said following President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States had executed the strikes in the midst of the Israel-Iran conflict.

“This is why I called on Speaker Johnson last week to reconvene the U.S. House of Representatives, and I am calling on him once again to call us back into session now,” Thompson said.

He added, “Members must be briefed immediately on the evolving situation in the Middle East so we can fulfill our Constitutional responsibilities.” 

Last week, Thompson led a formal letter to Johnson urging him to reconvene the House of Representatives so Congress can be thoroughly briefed on the evolving situation in the Middle East and fulfill its Constitutional responsibilities related to any potential authorization of military force.

The letter said, in part: “Congress has the sole power to declare war under Article 1 of our Constitution. It is of the highest importance that no military action take place without Congressional authorization. The stakes are too high. As representatives of the American people, it is the duty of every Member to ensure that we fulfill our Constitutional role.”

Thompson, a Vietnam veteran, represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.