1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I write with urgency regarding the military strikes that began today by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran. These actions have already resulted in explosions across Iranian cities, Iranian missile retaliation, and rising fears of a broader conflict. Under the Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. The Framers entrusted this power to the legislative branch to ensure that decisions involving hostilities and the commitment of American lives receive deliberative, democratic authorization. Yet this military action was undertaken without that authorization, raising serious constitutional and legal questions. Many Members of Congress have rightly expressed concern that the President acted without consulting or obtaining approval from Congress. Several are preparing war powers resolutions to bring this matter before the full House and Senate. I urge you to act swiftly to uphold the Constitution’s allocation of war powers. You should call the House and Senate into session immediately if necessary and insist on a full and transparent vote on any use of military force. The lives of our service members and the future of our nation require that Congress exercise its constitutional role without delay.