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

I am writing in profound alarm and outrage at the unauthorized military action the United States has taken against Iran as of Saturday. This attack — initiated without congressional approval, without a transparent legal rationale, and without debate in the people’s branch of government — constitutes an illegal war under our Constitution and in violation of the War Powers Resolution. While it is indisputable that the Iranian regime has governed in an autocratic, repressive, and violent manner for decades, the decision to engage militarily was made unilaterally by the executive branch. The death of Iran’s supreme leader may be seen by some as a blow to a deeply unjust system, but regime change — especially through external force — is unpredictable, uncontrollable, and carries profound risks for civilians, the region, and American service members. Since Saturday’s strike: • American service members have been killed in retaliation, with further escalation already under way. • Innocent civilians have been killed by U.S. military action, including documented noncombatant casualties. • The conflict is expanding beyond isolated strikes, increasing the probability of wider regional war involving multiple state and non-state actors. This is not hypothetical. This is reality. It is critical to recognize that: • A constitutionally authorized war is one declared by Congress. • An unauthorized war is unlawful, erodes the separation of powers, and undermines democratic accountability. • The War Powers Resolution requires that the President seek congressional authorization for hostilities beyond 60 days — but that should not delay the basic requirement that Congress be involved before hostilities begin. We are now in a war that Congress did not authorize, in a region already prone to instability, with no clear objective beyond reactionary escalation and no endgame articulated to the American people or to the world. Congress must act immediately to fulfill its constitutional duty. I demand that you and your colleagues: 1. Publicly assert that the current hostilities with Iran are not authorized by Congress. This must be stated clearly and repeatedly in the public record. 2. Pass legislation ending unauthorized use of military force against Iran unless expressly authorized by Congress. No further funding for ongoing hostilities should occur without approval. 3. Invoke and enforce the War Powers Resolution and compel the administration to justify any continued military engagement through a formal authorization vote. 4. Hold urgent oversight hearings demanding sworn testimony from Pentagon and National Security leadership about the legal basis, intelligence justification, strategic objectives, and civilian harm resulting from the conflict. 5. Prioritize diplomacy and de-escalation. No further strikes, deployments, or military escalation should take place while Congress considers its authorization, and diplomatic channels must be reopened immediately. War is not a decision to be made unilaterally, in secrecy, or without democratic accountability. The Iranian people deserve change that does not come through foreign bombs and occupation. American service members and civilian families deserve leadership that respects the Constitution under which they serve and sacrifice. The world — allies and adversaries alike — expects clarity, not chaos, from the United States. This unauthorized war must be brought under congressional authority, or it must end.