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The United States is now in the middle of yet another unauthorized war in the Middle East. The Trump administration’s preemptive and unauthorized military strikes against Iran are costing over $1 billion per day. These strikes have targeted senior leaders, killed children, and damaged civilian infrastructure.
The war is escalating by the day, with devastating consequences for millions of civilians and U.S. personnel, and severe ramifications for the global economy. The conflict has triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, threatening global energy markets and international stability.
Pass the Iran War Powers Resolution
The U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Act of 1973 are clear: only Congress has the power to declare war. The stakes are far too high for Congress to remain silent. War with Iran would be catastrophic and unlawful if undertaken without congressional authorization. Any U.S. military action must adhere to constitutional processes and moral responsibility. Initiating war without congressional approval undermines our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. Congress must immediately pass the Iran War Powers Resolution to end unauthorized U.S. military involvement and reassert its constitutional authority.
Why Congress Must Pass the Iran War Powers Resolution
There Is No Justification for Escalation with Iran: The rapid escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran has pushed the region toward a wider war. Experts warn that continued escalation could ignite a far broader regional conflict with devastating consequences for millions of civilians. This would be a strategic mistake and a profound moral failure.
Reclaiming Constitutional Authority Over War: The Iran War Powers Resolution reaffirms a foundational principle: the president cannot unilaterally wage war without explicit congressional authorization. The Founders vested the power to declare war in Congress to ensure that such grave decisions reflect the will of the American people. Passing this resolution is essential to restore the constitutional balance of war powers and prevent dangerous executive overreach.
War with Iran Would Harm U.S. Security and the Global Economy: A prolonged war with Iran would endanger U.S. troops across the region, inflame regional tensions, and empower hardliners and extremist groups. The economic consequences are already severe. With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting global energy supplies, this war threatens to drive massive spikes in oil prices, destabilize global markets, and impose enormous costs on American families. The United States cannot afford another open-ended Middle East war.
The United States Must Lead with Diplomacy: War is not the answer to rising tensions between Israel and Iran or to the aspirations of the Iranian people. Diplomacy has worked before. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action successfully constrained Iran’s nuclear program through inspections and verification. Negotiations remain the only viable path to addressing nuclear concerns, reducing regional tensions, and protecting civilian lives. Instead of enabling unauthorized military action, Congress and the administration must prioritize urgent diplomacy and regional deescalation.
Contact: Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East Policy, hassan@fcnl.org