1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

I write to you as an upset constituent and deeply concerned American. There needs to be Congressional oversight and an end to the Iran war immediately. This war is deeply unpopular with the American people and could trap thousands of U.S. troops in a dangerous and deadly ground war. You really should think of the lives of those servicemen and servicewomen who would be risking their lives for a war that Americans do not want. Do you really want the balance of their precious lives on your shoulders? The president himself even acknowledged on Friday that the U.S. is considering winding down operations, stating we're "getting very close to meeting our objectives." The Pentagon predicted a 4-6 week mission, and we're already in week 3. The mission has accomplished one of its stated goals of degrading Iran's missile capability and preventing nuclear weapons development. Continuing beyond this timeline transforms a limited strike into an open-ended conflict. The Strait of Hormuz crisis is being used to justify prolonging the war. The White House is now discussing seizing Iranian territory, which would guarantee a wider war. Our allies refused to join this effort because they recognize how reckless it is and they are a defense alliance, not one supports attacking other nations. Gas prices are rising at home while we spend billions — new reporting is saying when oil prices and economic strife from this war are taken into account along with bombs and airplanes, etc— it is costing Americans 100 billions of dollars for a war that we DO NOT want, that our Congress members DID NOT authorize on our behalf, and this administration went forward with without a plan or communication of a plan to American people! The strikes won't reopen the strait. This war and everything about its execution is UNCONSTITUTIONAL and it flies against the framers’ foundational principles that the American people have a very powerful vote and a voice in whether or not we go to war! Why aren’t you or the Republican members of Congress providing oversight? As Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) stated, it looks like to Americans that you “want to circumvent the Constitution.” That you “want to go around public oversight” and that you “want to avoid the glare, the questions of the American people.” Stop circumventing the Constitution. Stop going around public oversight. And face the glare and the questions of the American people—we know what you are doing! Bring home our troops before this becomes another endless war in the Middle East that Americans DO NOT want.