Prevent US Involvement in the Israel-Iran Conflict

On June 13th, Israel launched attacks on nuclear and military sites in Iran with a stated goal of stopping the expansion of their nuclear program. Iran then retaliated with attacks on Israeli sites, escalating the conflict, and the two countries have continued to trade military strikes since. Leaders of the Group of 7 (G7) nations, an informal bloc of industrialized democracies, were quick to call for a de-escalation during their summit in Canada, though Trump initially did not want to sign onto the statement. He has consistently made inflammatory and unverifiable statements to the press and on social media about the conflict: calling for the evacuation of Tehran, threatening Iranian leaders, and hinting at the U.S. joining Israel in their push for a regime change in Iran.

As Trump authorizes the military to shift aircraft and warships to the Middle East, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have raised alarms about the U.S. getting involved in this conflict. Members of both the House and Senate have introduced resolutions that invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution and require congressional authorization or a declaration of war for U.S. forces to take action against Iran. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), who is leading the war powers resolution in the Senate, stated “The American people have no interest in sending service members to fight another forever war in the Middle East.”

U.S. involvement in this Iran-Israel conflict is painfully reminiscent of the 2003 Iraq War — questionable authorization, weapons of mass destruction misinformation, and goals of regime change. Congress must maintain its authority as a strong check on the executive branch and prevent the Trump administration from launching the U.S. into another endless war. Demand your representatives support a war powers resolution.

Check if your Senators or House Rep have signaled support by co-sponsoring the resolution:
House resolution: H.Con.Res. 38
Senate resolution: S.J.Res. 59