1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

Recent public statements and news reports indicate that the administration says military options regarding Cuba remain available, even while maintaining that no attack is imminent. As your constituent, I urge you to oppose any invasion, occupation, or other offensive military intervention in Cuba. Contingency planning must not become war policy without specific congressional authorization, public debate, and a recorded vote. NO INVASION WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION A large-scale attack on Cuba should not begin without specific prior authorization from Congress. The Constitution gives Congress the powers to declare war, raise and support armies, and control military funding. An operation involving thousands of troops would be a major act of war and should not be launched without debate and a vote in Congress. WAR WOULD COST LIVES AND TAXPAYER BILLIONS The Cuban government’s repression and foreign alliances deserve a firm response, but they do not justify an American invasion. War could kill or wound American service members and Cuban civilians, drive families from their homes, trigger dangerous migration by sea, disrupt Caribbean trade, and leave the United States responsible for a costly occupation with no clear end. ANOTHER FRONT WOULD WEAKEN AMERICAN READINESS The United States already faces serious military commitments and security challenges across several regions. Opening another front could strain troops, equipment, logistics, and taxpayer resources. It could also deepen tensions with Russia, China, and Iran. DIPLOMACY CAN PROTECT AMERICA WITHOUT OCCUPATION Cubans deserve freedom, human rights, and economic opportunity. Congress should support diplomacy, cooperation with regional governments, and carefully targeted measures against officials responsible for repression. These tools can protect American interests without turning Cuba’s political crisis into an American war. Congress should act before contingency planning becomes an irreversible military commitment. Opposing an invasion is not a defense of Cuba’s government. It recognizes that war could cost lives, burden taxpayers, and trap the United States in another open-ended conflict. I urge you to: (1) OPPOSE INTERVENTION - Publicly oppose any invasion, occupation, or offensive military intervention in Cuba, while preserving immediate defensive action against an actual or imminent armed attack on the United States or American personnel. (2) REQUIRE AUTHORIZATION - Support legislation prohibiting federal funds from being used for offensive military action in Cuba without specific prior authorization from Congress. (3) HOLD HEARINGS - Require public and classified testimony on any military plans, their legal basis, projected cost, civilian consequences, military risks, exit strategy, and available diplomatic alternatives. Thank you.