1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

CONGRESS MUST REASSERT ITS WAR AUTHORITY BEFORE ANY FURTHER IRAN ESCALATION As your constituent, I urge you to state publicly that no further U.S. military escalation involving Iran should proceed without explicit Congressional authorization. The Constitution gives Congress - not the President - the power to declare war. Under the War Powers Resolution, U.S. forces may enter hostilities only pursuant to a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack on the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces. THE BREAKDOWN IN TALKS MAKES CLEAR PUBLIC GUIDANCE FROM CONGRESS MORE NECESSARY The House rejected H.Con.Res. 38 on March 5, 2026, by 219-212, and the Senate rejected a related Iran war powers measure on March 24, 2026, by 53-47. Those votes did not end Congress’s responsibility. Now that direct U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad have ended without agreement, it is even more important for Members of Congress to say clearly that any further escalation requires authorization, defined objectives, and enforceable limits. FRAGILE CONDITIONS IN THE REGION REQUIRE OVERSIGHT, RESTRAINT, AND CLARITY Current reporting says the negotiations ended without a peace agreement and that the two-week ceasefire remains fragile. Reporting also says U.S. mine-clearing operations tied to the Strait of Hormuz are underway, while wider escalation is still possible if diplomacy fails. I recognize the need to protect U.S. personnel and interests. Precisely for that reason, Congress should insist on clear objectives, a defined legal basis, and full public accountability before any further hostilities expand. CONGRESS MUST SET PUBLIC CONDITIONS BEFORE ANY FURTHER MILITARY ACTION Congress should: (1) state publicly that any further military escalation involving Iran requires explicit Congressional authorization; (2) support renewed war powers action to prevent unauthorized hostilities from expanding; (3) require a full public explanation of the legal basis, objectives, costs, risks, and intended end state of current operations; (4) oppose additional funding for expanded military action absent express authorization from Congress. A wider war could endanger more U.S. troops and civilians, intensify regional instability, disrupt shipping and energy markets, and impose substantial costs on American families and taxpayers. If Congress remains silent now, that silence will make further escalation easier and further weaken its own constitutional role. CONGRESS MUST SPEAK NOW BEFORE A BROADER CONFLICT BECOMES FAR HARDER TO STOP The talks have ended without agreement, and the risk of deeper conflict remains real. I urge you to speak clearly and publicly now, before events outrun accountability and before a broader conflict becomes far harder to stop. Thank you.