1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the unauthorized military strikes against Iran and to reassert congressional authority over decisions of war and peace. The recent attacks on Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, and Kermanshah represent a dangerous escalation that violates both domestic and international law. Under the War Powers Act, the president can only deploy forces into hostilities under a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack on the United States. Iran was not attacking the US when these strikes were launched. As legal experts have noted, this attack is illegal under the UN Charter, under the War Powers Act, and did not even comply with the National Security Act. The timing of these strikes is particularly troubling. According to analysts, the attacks occurred on a Saturday specifically to prevent a House vote scheduled for early the following week that would have restricted strikes on Iran. This represents a deliberate attempt to circumvent congressional authority and deny elected representatives their constitutional role in authorizing military action. The consequences of this escalation are already catastrophic. Within hours, missiles hit Tel Aviv, Iran targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Riyadh, and Doha. Americans are sheltering in place across the Gulf region, and Turkish Airlines has cancelled flights to ten countries. We are witnessing a regional inferno that threatens American lives and interests. Senator Jack Reed has rightly criticized the administration for failing to define objectives and providing no real briefings or intelligence to Congress. The diplomatic demands presented to Iran were designed to fail, including terms no sovereign nation could accept. I urge you to demand full congressional authorization before any further military action, to hold hearings on the legality of these strikes, and to reassert Congress's constitutional war powers. Our service members and regional stability depend on deliberate, lawful decision-making rather than unilateral escalation.