The United States Constitution could not be clearer: Only Congress, not the president, has the power to declare war.

Furthermore, in 1973 — over half a century ago, and with enough votes to override a veto from President Richard Nixon — Congress passed a law known as the War Powers Act that prohibits any president from committing the United States to prolonged armed conflict without congressional authorization.

Yet, late Saturday night, Donald Trump unilaterally started a reckless, illegal, and unconstitutional war with Iran.

We all know — or should know — the lessons of Afghanistan and Iraq: Initial “victories” turn into endless wars with unimaginable death and destruction, where the only “winner” is the military-industrial complex.

In a move right out of the authoritarian playbook, Trump hopes that this display of military aggression will distract the American people from all the other unpopular things he’s doing here at home and around the world. And he will exploit this self-made catastrophe in an effort to seize even more undue power.

A bipartisan War Powers Resolution has been introduced in the Senate (by Democrat Tim Kaine of Virginia) and the House of Representatives (by Democrat Ro Khanna of California and Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky) that would require President Trump to get approval from Congress for any further U.S. military action against Iran.

Congress must fulfill its constitutionally mandated role and act immediately to end Trump’s illegal and reckless war.

Tell Congress:

Donald Trump must not be allowed to unilaterally commit the United States to war with Iran. The American people are calling on you to pass the resolutions introduced by Senator Kaine and Representatives Khanna and Massie without delay.

Click to add your name now.

Thanks for taking action.

For peace,

- Robert Weissman & Lisa Gilbert, Co-Presidents of Public Citizen
 
 
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