1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

U.S. military operations involving Iran have escalated. War commands attention, but it does not relieve Congress of its constitutional power to authorize or deny the ability to go to war. The American people deserve a congressional vote to authorize use of force against Iran with a clearly articulated objective and defined exit strategy. If the goal is deterrence make that clear in the congressional authorization. If the goal is degrading military capacity, define the measurable endpoint. If the goal is regime change, explain the plan and the consequences. Then Congress must go on the record as approving or denying further use of force. History shows that military actions without clearly defined political objectives drift and expand. Congress has a constitutional duty to demand clarity. I urge you to support Senators Kaine and Schiff’s Joint Resolution to end hostilities against Iran, and do everything in your power to permanently curtail the president’s war powers.