1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to assert Congress's constitutional authority over the use of military force and immediately halt unauthorized military actions against Venezuela. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress alone the power to declare war. A naval blockade is universally recognized as an act of war under international law. Yet this administration has provided no public justification for these strikes, no evidence to Congress, and no request for authorization to use military force against Venezuela. This circumvention of constitutional checks and balances is unacceptable and sets a dangerous precedent. The Venezuelan people are already suffering under U.S. sanctions. A military blockade will compound this humanitarian crisis by preventing food, medicine, and essential goods from reaching civilians. History shows us that blockades disproportionately harm the most vulnerable populations, not the government officials they purport to target. We cannot allow American military power to inflict mass suffering on innocent people without congressional debate and authorization. I am asking you to introduce or co-sponsor legislation that explicitly prohibits the use of military force, including blockades, against Venezuela without congressional authorization. Also, demand that the administration provide all members of Congress with full information about these military strikes that have already taken place and any planned operations against Venezuela, including video of the second strike on September 2nd. The American people deserve transparency about military actions taken in our name, and the Constitution requires congressional approval before we go to war. Congress must reclaim its war powers authority now, before this situation escalates further.