CTA: Urge Congress to Support Resolutions to End Unauthorized Hostilities in Iran

Note: Though previous votes on a war powers resolution have failed in both the House and Senate, the 60-day deadline established by the War Powers Resolution of 1973 is approaching on April 28. Many legislators who previously opposed a war powers resolution have suggested they may be more open to supporting one as the deadline draws near. 

Please urge your members of Congress to support bipartisan resolutions in the House and the Senate that will direct the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. 

On Saturday, February 28, the U.S. and Israeli militaries initiated an attack on Iran, resulting in U.S. and civilian casualties. Supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was the head of Iran's oppressive regime and responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iranians, was also killed in the attack. The war has since expanded throughout the region.

The Constitution divides war powers between the legislative and executive branches of government: Congress is given the power to raise and support a military and make declarations of war, and the president is the commander in chief of the military. This division was an intentional check on executive power. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 makes explicit the role of Congress in enabling military actions and imposes limitations on the power the president has to make unilateral decisions regarding use of armed forces abroad. 

President Trump initiated hostilities in Iran without evidence of any imminent threat to the U.S. In the following days, he gave open-ended timelines for the duration of the conflict and expressed a willingness to deploy troops on the ground amid "large-scale" combat operations -- all without seeking congressional approval. 

By permitting President Trump to be the sole decision-maker regarding military incursions, objectives, and timelines, Congress allows the president to usurp its own war powers. The resolutions sponsored by Senators Kaine (D-VA) and Paul (R-KY) in the Senate and Representatives Massie (R-KY) and Khanna (D-CA) in the House make clear the role of Congress in authorizing military actions.

Please contact your members of Congress to show your support for Congress overseeing the use of armed forces in Iran

Finally, we invite you to follow up with a quick phone call to your legislators. If you tap the phone icon, it will auto generate the phone numbers for each of your legislators along with helpful tips and talking points.