1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

Democrats must stop equivocating and oppose this war with Iran clearly and without qualification. This conflict was initiated without congressional authorization. Under Article I of the Constitution, the power to declare war belongs to Congress. What we are witnessing is unilateral executive war-making — unlawful, destabilizing, and dangerous. If Democrats claim to defend democracy and the rule of law, that principle must apply here. The American people do not want this war. Polling shows broad opposition to another Middle East conflict. After Iraq and Afghanistan, voters understand the cost: lives lost, trillions spent, regional chaos, and a generation shaped by trauma. Standing against this war is not radical — it is aligned with the public. The risks are immediate and immense: • American service members have been killed and many more are in harm’s way without lawful authorization. • Civilians are already being killed. • Regional escalation is underway. • Global stability and energy markets are at risk. By its own framing — including statements from Secretary of State Marco Rubio — the administration has signaled that U.S. action was driven heavily by the security priorities of Israel. The United States cannot allow itself to be drawn into full-scale war at the urging of another government, absent congressional debate and explicit authorization. This is illegal. It is immoral. It is strategically reckless. Democrats must not hedge. They must lead. Congress must: 1. Publicly declare that this war lacks congressional authorization. 2. Immediately move to block funding for unauthorized military action against Iran. 3. Invoke and enforce the War Powers Resolution without delay. 4. Hold emergency hearings and compel sworn testimony on the legal basis and objectives of this conflict. 5. Demand immediate de-escalation and a diplomatic path forward. This is a defining moment. Either Congress reclaims its constitutional authority over war — or it becomes irrelevant while the executive branch drags the country into another catastrophic conflict. Stand with the Constitution. Stand with the American people. Stop this war.