Demand Congressional Authorization Before Further Military Action Against Iran

I am writing to demand that Congress immediately assert its constitutional authority to declare war and halt unauthorized military operations against Iran. President Trump launched coordinated strikes with Israel against Iran without seeking congressional approval, despite ongoing negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. This represents a dangerous violation of the Constitution's separation of powers. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress alone the power to declare war. The strikes against Tehran, including near the offices of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were not defensive actions against an imminent threat. Negotiations were actively underway when Trump decided to initiate what he himself called "major combat operations." The deployment of two aircraft carrier strike groups in recent weeks demonstrates this was a planned offensive operation, not an emergency response. The administration characterized these as pre-emptive strikes, but that justification does not satisfy constitutional requirements for unilateral executive military action. Iran had not launched an attack against the United States or our allies. The situation has now escalated dramatically, with Iran preparing what officials describe as "crushing retaliation" and both nations closing their airspace. Israel has declared a state of emergency and warned civilians to remain near air raid shelters. Trump's video calling on Iranians to "take over your government" and Israel's messages encouraging anti-regime protests reveal this operation's true purpose: regime change. This is not a limited defensive strike but the beginning of a broader conflict that could destabilize the entire Middle East. Congress must immediately invoke the War Powers Resolution to force withdrawal of forces within 60 days unless proper authorization is granted. The American people did not elect a president to unilaterally start wars. I urge you to co-sponsor any resolution that reasserts congressional war powers and demands an immediate halt to military operations against Iran without proper constitutional authorization. Our democracy and the lives of service members depend on Congress fulfilling its constitutional duty.