1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I am writing to you today as a constituent and as an American deeply alarmed by President Donald Trump's decision to order military strikes against Iran without seeking authorization from Congress. This action is a direct and serious violation of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the United States Constitution, and the foundational principle that it is Congress — not any single president — that holds the power to take this nation to war. Article I of the United States Constitution explicitly grants Congress the sole power to declare war. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires that the president consult with Congress before introducing U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities, except in cases of a direct attack on the United States. No such attack occurred. No imminent threat requiring immediate unilateral action has been credibly demonstrated to Congress. Yet the President ordered these strikes while lawmakers were not in session and without providing a full legal justification. Constitutional experts have been unambiguous: there is no legal circumstance that would give the President unilateral authority to order military action of this nature. Congress was bypassed and kept in the dark. Even the "Gang of Eight" congressional leaders were informed only shortly before the attack and were not given a full legal justification. Even Republican members including Representative Thomas Massie, Senator Rand Paul, and Representative Warren Davidson have publicly condemned these strikes as acts of war unauthorized by Congress. Representative Davidson, a former Army Ranger, was unequivocal: "No. War requires Congressional authorization." President Trump himself has warned that American troops may be killed in this conflict. Yet this war was launched without a public debate, without a congressional vote, and without a clear strategy for what comes next. History has shown us the catastrophic consequences of unauthorized, poorly planned military interventions in the Middle East. We must not allow history to repeat itself while Congress stands aside. I am urgently demanding that you take the following actions without delay. First, reconvene Congress immediately. Do not wait until the scheduled return. The lives of American service members are at stake right now. You must demand that leadership schedule an emergency session. Second, vote YES on the War Powers Resolution. Support the bipartisan Massie-Khanna resolution in the House and the Kaine-Paul resolution in the Senate, which would require the President to obtain congressional authorization before continuing or escalating military action in Iran. This is not a partisan issue — it is a constitutional one. Third, demand a full classified briefing for all members of Congress. Every lawmaker deserves to know the administration's legal rationale, military objectives, and exit strategy before more American lives are put on the line. Fourth, use Congress's power of the purse. If the administration refuses to comply with the War Powers Resolution, exercise Congress's constitutional appropriations authority to restrict funds from being used for unauthorized military operations in Iran. Fifth, consider all available constitutional remedies, including aggressive oversight hearings, votes to restrict military action, and if warranted, impeachment proceedings. The American people did not vote for endless wars. The Constitution did not create a presidency with unchecked military power. The framers placed the war-making authority in Congress deliberately, so that the gravest decisions a nation can make — sending its sons and daughters to die — would never rest in the hands of one person acting alone. You were elected to be a check on executive overreach. Now is the moment to fulfill that oath. History will record whether Congress chose to act or chose to be a bystander while a president took this country to war without its consent. I will be watching your response and your vote. I urge you to stand with the Constitution, stand with the American people, and demand that Congress.