As the Administration Launches Strikes Against Iran, Congress Must Reclaim Its Constitutional War Powers 

Washington, D.C. — In response to the White House’s illegal strikes on Iran today, following weeks of increased U.S. military buildup in the region, David Janovsky, acting director of The Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), issued the following statement:

“The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to declare war. The president’s announcement today that the U.S. has conducted military strikes in Iran without congressional approval is yet another flagrant abuse of power by this administration. Significant military actions should have more than the sole backing of a single leader — that’s why the Constitution requires the people’s representatives to make these decisions.

“For far too long, Congress has ceded power to the White House on matters of war. But it’s not too late for Congress to reclaim its constitutional responsibilities and put a stop to this aggression before it escalates even further. We cannot allow lawmakers to cede yet another constitutional responsibility to an already runaway executive branch—not when the stakes are this high. Congress must act swiftly to demand answers, hold people to account, and prevent the president from leading us into an unsanctioned and unconstitutional war.”