Senate to vote this week on Kaine’s war powers resolution following a Tuesday classified briefing and amid ceasefire moves
Join the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, in demanding Congress take immediate legislative action in the U.S. House and Senate to halt President Donald Trump’s illegal and unauthorized march to war with Iran.
The Senate, under Republican control, is expected to vote later this week on Senator Tim Kaine’s privileged resolution, which requires only a simple majority to pass. A classified Senate-wide briefing on Iran with administration officials is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. These developments make your message to lawmakers especially urgent.
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President Trump’s recent strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, carried out under pressure from Israel’s indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has placed American lives and regional stability at grave risk. Iran has reportedly retaliated by launching strikes on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Qatar. Congress must reassert its constitutional authority to declare war, prevent this crisis from spiraling into a wider regional conflict, and urge de-escalation on both sides before more lives are lost. The Trump administration’s attempt to announce a ceasefire quickly fell apart, underscoring the urgent need for congressional intervention.
CAIR urges every member of the U.S. House and Senate to support the following measures:
- The bipartisan War Powers Resolution, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and co-led by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), prohibits U.S. armed forces from engaging in hostilities against Iran without explicit Congressional authorization.
- Senator Tim Kaine’s joint resolution (S.J.Res.59), reaffirms that military action against Iran must be authorized by Congress through a declaration of war or a specific AUMF.
- Senator Bernie Sanders’ No War Against Iran Act blocks federal funds for military operations against Iran without Congressional approval, with a narrow exception for legitimate self-defense under the War Powers Resolution.
The Constitution is clear: only Congress has the power to declare war. Iran is a sovereign nation, not covered under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) or the 2002 Iraq AUMF. Launching hostilities without new Congressional authorization violates both U.S. and international law. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 reinforces that, absent an imminent threat, only Congress may authorize significant military action.
There is no imminent threat from Iran’s nuclear program that justifies unilateral U.S. strikes. Intelligence assessments confirm Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons. The President’s invocation of self-defense under Article II does not apply.
The Israeli government has long pushed to entangle the United States in a war with Iran. It played a key role in misleading U.S. policymakers about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in 2002, helping pave the way for a disastrous and unnecessary war. That same agenda is now dangerously close to being realized again. With U.S. forces under fire and the region on edge, Congress must act. Continued silence and inaction will be remembered as complicity in another preventable and catastrophic conflict.
It remains to be seen whether the House resolution led by Reps. Massie and Khanna will move forward following the breakdown of the short-lived ceasefire. Speaker Mike Johnson has called the measure “moot,” while Rep. Massie has indicated he may not advance it if the ceasefire were to hold. Rep. Khanna reaffirmed that the effort was not about political optics, but about restoring Congress’s role and preventing wars of choice with disastrous consequences.
Join CAIR in demanding that Congress block this illegal act of war and restore constitutional oversight.
CONSTITUENT MESSAGE:
Subject: Block Unauthorized War with Iran – Support Emergency War Powers Legislation
Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],
As your constituent, I urge you to take immediate action to prevent an unauthorized and dangerous war with the Islamic Republic of Iran. President Trump’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities has sharply escalated tensions and placed American lives at risk. Iran has reportedly retaliated by striking U.S. military bases in Iraq and Qatar. A ceasefire announced by the administration collapsed within hours. Congress must act now to de-escalate the crisis and reassert its constitutional authority over war powers.
Please support and co-sponsor the following measures:
- House Offices: The bipartisan War Powers Resolution, introduced by Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna.
- Senate Offices: Senator Tim Kaine’s joint resolution (S.J.Res.59).
- Senate Offices: Senator Bernie Sanders’ No War Against Iran Act.
Iran is not covered under the 2001 or 2002 AUMFs. Intelligence assessments confirm Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, and there is no imminent threat that justifies unilateral U.S. strikes. Launching hostilities without Congressional authorization violates the Constitution and international law.
In 2002, Israel played a key role in misleading U.S. officials about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, helping drag us into a disastrous and unnecessary war. We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes.
Please speak out and take action to prevent another endless, costly conflict in the Middle East. The American people are watching.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com