1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The massive U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and ongoing nuclear negotiations in Geneva signal an alarming drift toward war with Iran without Congressional authorization. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress alone the power to declare war. President Trump cannot lawfully order military strikes against Iran without first seeking approval from the legislative branch. The stakes could not be higher. Analysts speaking to ABC News suggest the chances of avoiding a U.S. strike are very low. The U.S. Embassy has already ordered evacuation of some staff from Beirut. Former Mossad head Danny Yatom outlined three scenarios including large-scale or small-scale U.S. attacks on Iran, and Iran has warned it will retaliate against U.S. bases in the region and Israel if attacked. This would trigger a second major war in the Middle East in under a year, with catastrophic consequences for American service members and regional stability. The administration has narrowed its focus exclusively to preventing Iran from building nuclear weapons, abandoning previous objectives around supporting protesters and preventing intercontinental ballistic missile development. Yet retired Col. Steve Ganyard notes that Iran views nuclear capability as essential to regime survival, citing how Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed in 2011 after voluntarily dismantling his nuclear program in 2003. This suggests military action may not achieve its stated objective. I urge you to publicly demand that President Trump seek Congressional authorization before launching any military strikes against Iran. The Constitution requires it, and the American people deserve a full debate about whether to commit our nation to another Middle Eastern war. Congress must assert its constitutional authority and prevent an unconstitutional rush to war that could cost American lives and destabilize an already volatile region.