The United States is at war with Iran. American soldiers have died. More remain in harm's way. And Congress never voted on any of it.

Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress — not the president — holds the power to declare war. That's not a loophole or a formality. It's a safeguard the founders put in place to make sure no single person could drag this country into a war alone. Right now, that safeguard is being bypassed entirely.

The dangers of unchecked war power are on full display. President Trump took to social media to warn that strikes would eliminate a "whole civilization" if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. No congressional briefing. No public debate. A social media post threatening the destruction of a nation. As Rep. Sara Jacobs put it after being blocked from the House floor this week: "Threatening genocide is not a negotiating tactic."

A War Powers Resolution is ready for a vote in both the House and Senate. It would require the administration to get congressional approval before continuing military operations against Iran. When Democrats tried to bring it to the House floor this week, the session was gaveled closed before anyone could even speak.

This is not a partisan issue. Senator Chuck Schumer said it plainly: "No president, Democrat or Republican, should take this country to war alone. Not now. Not ever." 

Congress needs to come back into session and vote. Sign this petition to demand that your representatives pass the War Powers Resolution, reassert their constitutional authority, and make their voices — and yours — heard before this conflict goes any further.