Urgent: Iran War Is Depleting Critical U.S. Defense Capabilities

Urgent: Iran War Is Depleting Critical U.S. Defense Capabilities   I am writing to urge immediate congressional action on a documented national security threat created by the current administration’s conduct of the war with Iran.   According to reporting by The Washington Post, confirmed by multiple defense analysts, the U.S. military has fired more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in the first four weeks of Operation Epic Fury. Analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimate this represents approximately one quarter of the nation’s entire Tomahawk inventory. U.S. officials speaking to the Post described remaining supplies in the Middle East as “alarmingly low” and said the military was approaching “Winchester” — the military term for running out of ammunition.   The implications are serious and concrete:   • The U.S. produces only approximately 90 Tomahawks per year under normal procurement. Even with planned production increases, analysts say it will take several years to replenish what has been expended in four weeks. • CSIS senior adviser Mark Cancian warned this depletion “would leave a large gap for a conflict in the Western Pacific” — meaning our ability to deter or respond to a Chinese move on Taiwan is now materially diminished. • The heavy reliance on Tomahawks is already prompting discussion about pulling missiles from other strategic regions to keep the Iran campaign supplied.   The administration has offered shifting justifications for this conflict. Congress has both the constitutional authority and the obligation to exercise oversight here. I urge you to:             1.         Demand a classified briefing on actual remaining Tomahawk inventory and the timeline to replenishment.             2.         Use the War Powers Resolution and the power of the purse to require administration accountability for how this war is being conducted.             3.         Oppose any further escalation — including reported discussions of ground troop deployment — until Congress has a full accounting of munitions status and strategic rationale.   The United States’ ability to deter future adversaries depends on maintaining credible military readiness. That readiness is being drawn down at an alarming rate. Congress must act.