1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to support the war powers resolution that would limit President Trump's ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela without congressional authorization. The recent Senate vote on this resolution revealed a troubling pattern of senators reversing their positions under pressure from the White House rather than standing by their constitutional convictions. The Constitution grants Congress, not the President, the power to declare war. This war powers resolution is not about partisan politics. It is about preserving the constitutional separation of powers that protects our democracy from executive overreach. When senators like those who initially supported advancing this legislation change their votes after White House pressure, they abandon their constitutional duty to serve as a check on executive military action. Five Republican senators initially joined with Democrats to advance this legislation because they recognized its constitutional importance. However, two reversed their positions after intense pressure from Trump, causing the resolution to fail. This kind of capitulation sets a dangerous precedent that undermines congressional authority over matters of war and peace. Military action in Venezuela could have serious consequences for American service members, regional stability, and our international standing. These decisions deserve full congressional debate and authorization, not unilateral executive action. The framers of our Constitution understood that decisions about war are too consequential to rest in the hands of one person. I urge you to support this war powers resolution and resist any pressure to abandon your constitutional responsibilities. Your constituents need you to stand firm on the principle that Congress must authorize military action. Our system of checks and balances depends on legislators who will uphold their oath to the Constitution regardless of political pressure from any administration.