1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

Congress must immediately exercise its constitutional authority to halt all unauthorized military action against Venezuela. The recent overnight attack that killed Venezuelan citizens and resulted in the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores represents a flagrant violation of the Constitution's requirement for congressional authorization of war. No evidence has been presented to Congress that Maduro's presidency poses a threat justifying military action without Congressional authorization. This administration has repeatedly denied to Congress that the Administration intended to force regime change in Venezuela. These denials were lies. Administration officials who insisted boat strikes were about drugs, not regime change, deceived Congress and participated in an unconstitutional war. Congress must use every constitutional tool available to stop this war: the power of the purse, the War Powers Act, and impeachment if necessary. The upcoming government funding deadline provides an immediate opportunity to defund these operations. I urge you to refuse any appropriations that enable continued military strikes against Venezuelan boats, ports, or cities. This action threatens Americans in Venezuela and abroad, risks international isolation, and creates dangerous precedents for expanded executive power. Congress cannot remain complicit in unconstitutional warfare. I expect you to take immediate action to restore constitutional order and end this illegal military campaign Now!