1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose any further military action in Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization. The recent 215-215 tie vote on H.Con.Res.68 that narrowly defeated the war powers resolution demonstrates how divided Congress is on this issue, and I believe you should stand with constituents who want accountability in decisions about war. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 exists precisely to prevent unchecked presidential military action. It requires the president to report military actions to Congress within 48 hours and mandates congressional approval for troop deployments lasting longer than 60 days. This law was enacted during the Nixon administration near the end of the Vietnam War to ensure Congress exercises its constitutional authority to declare war. Recent US military operations against Venezuela have included bombing and invasion operations, the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, an oil blockade that seized seven tankers, and since September, bombing boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. These actions represent a significant military escalation that demands congressional oversight and approval. As Rep. James McGovern stated after the vote, if the president contemplates further military action, he has a moral and constitutional obligation to seek congressional approval. Rep. Gregory Meeks emphasized that Americans want lower costs of living, not war. I agree completely. We cannot afford another costly military engagement that drains resources from domestic priorities while putting service members at risk. The administration reportedly expended extraordinary energy pressuring Republicans to block the resolution, according to Cavan Kharrazian of Demand Progress. This suggests they know congressional oversight would constrain their plans. That is exactly why Congress must assert its constitutional authority. I urge you to support any future war powers resolutions regarding Venezuela and to publicly demand that the president seek congressional authorization before any additional military action. Only Congress has the authority to declare war, and that authority must be defended.