Update March 5: Senate Republicans voted down the War Powers Resolution in the senate last night. The resolution will now be voted on tonight, March 5th, in the House. Call your representative now and demand they vote for this resolutions. >> Find your representative

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Following U.S. military strikes this weekend, which President Trump himself referred to as “war,” Democrats and some Republicans are pushing for a vote in both the U.S. House and Senate for Congress to direct the President to withdraw forces when no Congressional declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) exists.

This is unfortunately a familiar moment. We were here in January, calling on Congress to reassert its constitutional authority before the United States was pulled deeper into another conflict. Once again, we are urging lawmakers to pass a War Powers Resolution and make clear that no president can wage war unilaterally.

The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the power to declare war. That safeguard exists to prevent unilateral escalation and to ensure that the American people, through their elected representatives, have a voice before the nation enters another armed conflict.

The new resolution, introduced by Tim Kaine (VA) in the Senate and Ro Khanna (CA) and Thomas Massie (KY) in the House, would require the President to terminate the use of armed forces unless Congress explicitly authorizes it. Because it is a privileged motion, it is guaranteed a vote. That vote is expected early this coming week, likely Tuesday, March 3, or Wednesday, March 4th.

Take Action Now

Call your senators and your representative today and tell them it’s time to defend the Constitution and vote YES on the latest War Powers Resolution.

📞 U.S. Capitol Switchboard: +1 (202) 224-3121

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(Tips on calling the U.S. from abroad.)

Call Script

Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m a constituent who votes in [CITY/STATE].

I’m calling to urge [Senator/Representative NAME] to vote YES on the War Powers Resolution  up for a vote this week.

The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the authority to decide when the United States goes to war. Absent an imminent threat to our country, military action requires congressional authorization.

Please ask [NAME] to vote YES and defend Congress’ constitutional role before the United States is drawn further into conflict.

Thank you for your time.

Share With Your Community

The U.S. has launched military strikes. Now Congress must decide whether to reclaim its constitutional authority over war.

The Constitution gives Congress, not the President. the power to declare war. Call your members of Congress and urge them to vote YES on the War Powers Resolution on Iran.

Democracy requires accountability, especially when U.S. citizen lives are at stake.

What Our Leaders Say

“The framers of the United States Constitution gave Congress the sole power to declare war as the branch of government closest to the American people,”
- Leader Hakeem Jeffries

“The White House knew that I had a war powers resolution scheduled for vote by the Senate early next week. I assume they wanted to try to rush the initiation of an illegal war before Congress had a chance to vote on it.”
- Sen Tim Kaine

“The President–with no authorization from Congress—has gone to war with Iran. Under the U.S. Constitution it is Congress – and not the President –who has the power to declare war.”
- Sen Amy Klobuchar

“The Framers provided in our Constitution that Congress must declare any war that our nation enters. They knew that Kings plunged their nations into wars of arrogance, deceit, distraction, plunder and intrigue without regard to the consequences for our soldiers, our people or anyone else. Our Framers insisted that the decision to put the lives of the people at risk be put in the hands of the representatives of the people who must carefully analyze and deliberate the staggering implications of going to war.” 

- Rep Jamie Raskin

Resources

• Democrats push for war powers vote over U.S. attack on Iran | Los Angeles Times
• S.J.Res.104 - Senate Joint Resolution on War Powers | Congress.gov
• Sen. Tim Kaine calls on the Senate to vote on the war powers resolution | NPR
• Jeffries: Democrats ‘committed’ to forcing Iran war powers vote in wake of US strikes | The Hill
• Leader Jeffries on NPR: “The War Powers Resolution would require immediate termination of any additional military action” | Jeffries.House.Gov