CONGRESS MUST REASSERT ITS POWER TO PREVENT WAR WITH IRAN 

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
FOR MERKLEY
…I am petrified that the Trump administration may start a war with Iran. Please thank the Senator for co-sponsoring the Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act (S.1039), and S. 1790, which will prevent war with Iran in the short term, but it is also important for Congress to reassert its Article I powers to declare war by  repealing the two Authorizations of Military Force. He must do everything in his power to force the leadership to bring them up for immediate votes. Thank you.
FOR WYDEN:
… I am petrified that the Trump administration may start a war with Iran. Please thank the Senator for co-sponsoring the Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act (S.1039), which will prevent war with Iran in the short term, but it is also important for Congress to reassert its Article I powers to declare war by repealing the two Authorizations of Military Force. He must do everything in his power to force the leadership to bring them up for immediate votes. Thank you.

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
FOR ALL REPRESENTATIVES EXCEPT WALDEN:
…I am petrified that the Trump administration may start a war with Iran. Please thank Rep. [   ] for co-sponsoring the Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act (H.R.2354), which will prevent war with Iran in the short term, but it is also important for Congress to reassert its Article I powers to declare war by repealing the two Authorizations of Military Force. He/she must do everything in his/her power to force the leadership to bring them up for immediate votes. Thank you.
FOR WALDEN:
…I am petrified that the Trump administration may start a war with Iran. I am very disappointed that he does see the dangers such a calamitous war would pose. I am asking him to please reconsider and to support both the Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act (H.R. 2354) and repeal of the two Authorizations of Military Force when then come up for votes in the House. Thank you.

BACKGROUND:

Because Trump needs to obliterate Obama’s successes, he unilaterally withdrew from Iran Nuclear Deal that prevented Iran from developing nuclear weapons—with which Iran complying. To force Iran to accept harsher conditions, “maximum pressure campaign begun: 
  • Imposing sanctions that badly damaged Iran’s economy 
  • Designating part of Iran’s military a foreign terrorist organization 
In response, Iran threatened to (1) back out of its commitments to the nuclear deal and (2) prevent oil tankers from passing through Strait of Hormuz. 
Recently, administration escalated hawkish rhetoric towards Iran, creating fear that Trump’s trying to push Iran into war: 
  • additional troops deployed to Middle East to send Iran “clear and unmistakable message” 
  • immediately claimed Iran responsible for attacks on two oil tankers off Iran’s coast —without conducting thorough investigation and relying on facts ship’s crew rejected 
  • suggested military strike one possible option which could be carried out without Congressional approval under 2001 Authorization of Military Force (AUMF)  
To keep us out of a catastrophic war, Congress must immediately reassert Article I constitutional authority handed over to the Executive after 911  
  • Prohibiting unauthorized use of funds for military operations against Iran (H.R.2354/S.1039) 
  • Repealing AUMFs 

SOURCES: