No War With Iran
Trump has ordered a massive buildup of naval forces in the Middle East, including repositioning aircraft carriers and other warships, leading to fears of an imminent war with Iran. On Thursday, Trump gave Tehran a deadline of 10 to 15 days to make a deal to resolve their longstanding nuclear dispute or face “really bad things.”
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress, stemming from the Vietnam War. It provides that the president can send the U.S. Armed Forces into action abroad only by Congress's "statutory authorization," or in case of "a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces."
Congress needs to act to assert its powers and prevent Trump from illegally starting a war with Iran. Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie plan to force a vote this week on a resolution (H. Con. Res. 38) to require authorization from Congress before President Trump can use military force against Iran.
Call to Action:
Contact your Congressional representative to demand that they vote “yes” on House Congressional Resolution 38, and Senators Klobuchar and Smith to demand that they support this resolution if it is passed in the House.
Contact Info:
1. U.S. Senator Tina Smith:
DC Office Phone: (202) 224-5641
MN Office Phone: (651) 221-1016
Email form:
https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
2. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar:
DC Office Phone: ( 202) 224-3244
DC Office Fax: (202) 228-2186
MN Office Phone: (612) 727-5220
Email form:
https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-amy
Your Federal House Representative
Find your US House of Representative here: Who Represents Me?
Or use democracy.io to send an email to both of them at the same time.
Sample Script (voice or email):
I am a constituent from (your address) [Optional: and a member of Indivisible Twin Cities].
Vote “Yes” on House Congressional Resolution 38. The power to declare war rests with Congress, not with the President. Congress must affirm this power before Trump starts a war with Iran.
Resources:
50 USC Ch 33: War Powers Resolution
H.Con.Res.38 - Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Guardian: Iran prepares nuclear counterproposal as US considers limited military strikes
The Hill: Khanna, Massie plan to force war powers vote on Iran
