1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to any legislative efforts aimed at increasing funding for military operations involving Iran. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East poses a profound risk to global stability and domestic security. It is unconscionable that while the government advances an unprecedented $1.15 trillion defense budget including $73 billion in supplemental funding for the war in Iran it simultaneously moves to slash the earned benefits of those who have already sacrificed for this nation. Prioritizing these massive expenditures for an open-ended conflict while actively gutting disability compensation for veterans is a shameful betrayal of our national promise. Specifically, the proposed reduction in disability ratings for conditions like tinnitus and sleep apnea is an affront to those suffering from service-connected injuries. To callously strip away the modest financial security of our veterans to fund foreign military escalation is not just fiscally irresponsible; it is a moral failure that ignores the long-term consequences of service. Allocating additional taxpayer dollars toward an expansion of hostilities is a strategy that favors kinetic engagement. History has repeatedly shown that prolonged military involvement in this region yields diminishing returns, resulting in significant loss of life, regional instability, and an immense financial burden on the American public. Our focus should be on upholding the social contract with our veterans and strengthening our domestic foundation, rather than funding conflicts that lack a clear, sustainable, and achievable objective. The lack of comprehensive congressional authorization for a sustained conflict with Iran is a grave constitutional concern. Entering or expanding a war without a clearly defined endgame undermines our democratic processes. Instead of further fueling the machinery of war, I urge you to prioritize multilateral diplomacy, economic statecraft, and regional engagement over further military spending.