1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent to express serious concern regarding reports of United States military action in Venezuela initiated without Congressional approval. Under the Constitution, the authority to declare war and authorize sustained military action belongs to Congress, not the president acting alone. Article I of the Constitution clearly grants Congress the power to declare war. While a president may respond to an immediate and direct threat, launching military strikes or initiating hostilities without Congressional authorization exceeds executive authority and violates the system of checks and balances that defines our democracy. No president, including Donald Trump, has the legal authority to start a war without the consent of the people’s representatives. Allowing unilateral military action sets a dangerous precedent. It concentrates power in the executive branch, removes democratic accountability, and risks dragging the nation into conflict without debate, transparency, or public consent. This is precisely the type of abuse of power the framers sought to prevent. I urge you to assert Congress’s constitutional authority by demanding full transparency regarding any United States military involvement in Venezuela, taking immediate steps to halt any unauthorized military actions, and holding accountable any officials who acted outside the law. Congress must not surrender its war powers to the executive branch through silence or inaction. The United States is not a monarchy. Our system of government depends on the enforcement of constitutional limits on power. I expect my elected representatives to defend the Constitution and to ensure that no president is permitted to act above the law. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response and to seeing Congress fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.