1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am deeply concerned about the recent military strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats near Venezuela, which have resulted in at least 57 deaths over the past two months. These actions, approved by President Trump without Congressional authorization, constitute an act of war and violate our constitutional principles. Senator Rand Paul is introducing a resolution to limit these unauthorized military strikes, and I strongly urge you to support this crucial measure. The Senate's previous rejection of a similar resolution on October 8th, with a close 48-51 vote, demonstrates the pressing need for a thorough debate on this issue. The recent announcement by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of strikes on four more boats, resulting in 14 additional deaths, further underscores the urgency of this matter. While the stated goal may be to combat drug trafficking, these actions raise serious questions about the administration's true intentions, including speculation about efforts to oust Venezuela's dictator Nicolás Maduro. As your constituent, I implore you to take immediate action. First, vote in favor of Senator Paul's updated resolution to restrict these unauthorized military strikes. Second, I ask that you push for an investigation into the military officials complicit in these actions, which circumvent proper Congressional oversight. The Constitution clearly grants Congress the power to declare war, and these strikes against Venezuela infringe upon that authority. By supporting this resolution and holding officials accountable, you will be upholding your oath to defend the Constitution and ensuring that our nation's military actions are subject to proper democratic processes. The outcome of this vote will have far-reaching implications for our foreign policy, the balance of powers, and our standing in the international community. I urge you to prioritize this matter and take a stand against unauthorized military action. Our democracy depends on your commitment to upholding these fundamental principles.