Establish clear, enforceable guardrails on U.S. military action in Iran

I am writing to urge you to use Congress’s appropriations authority to establish clear, enforceable guardrails on U.S. military action involving Iran.   The most immediate and effective way to do this is through binding provisions attached to Department of Defense appropriations, any supplemental defense funding legislation, and any upcoming omnibus or continuing resolution funding bills. I respectfully ask you to support and pursue the following specific actions:   1. Attach binding funding restrictions to Department of Defense appropriations and any omnibus or continuing resolution legislation.  Include language prohibiting the use of appropriated funds for expanded offensive military operations against Iran absent explicit congressional authorization. At minimum, prohibit the deployment of U.S. ground forces into hostilities with Iran without prior authorization from Congress.   2. Require mandatory reporting and certification to Congress.  Require regular classified and unclassified reports detailing the legal justification, objectives, scope, anticipated duration, and escalation risks of current and planned military operations, so Congress can exercise meaningful oversight.   3. Establish clear statutory limits on escalation.  Specify in law that appropriated funds may be used solely to protect U.S. personnel and facilities unless and until Congress passes a specific Authorization for Use of Military Force.   These measures preserve the ability of the United States to defend its personnel while ensuring that sustained or expanded military conflict occurs only with the consent of Congress, as required by the Constitution.   I urge you to act promptly by using the appropriations process to establish these guardrails.