1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

Congress hasn't authorized force or declared war, so President Trump's reckless military action in Iran violates our Constitution. But waging an illegal war is expensive – and the American people are expected to foot the bill. The military spends billions of tax dollars on equipment, aircraft, munitions, fuel, and more, and the administration will need to go through Congress to get any additional funding to keep the war going. This is one of the strongest checks we have on a president who thinks he can unilaterally attack another country. The Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare or authorize war. And it gives Congress alone the power to decide how much money the government may spend. Congress must not let the president push Congress aside and violate the Constitution. The illegal war in Iran could put countless service members and civilians in harm's way. It risks global instability. And it imposes costs here at home, ranging from climbing gas prices to threats to civil liberties. These factors must be weighed on by Congress before any further military action is taken – and if the president thinks he can dodge our Constitution's requirements, Congress must cut any funding to this war instead. I call you as my elected official to cut the purse strings on the president's illegal war in Iran.