Rob "Rush" Ruszkowski for Congress

March 5th, 2026

On March 4th, the United States Senate voted on a War Powers Resolution that would have required congressional approval before the United States could continue this unauthorized war with Iran.

That resolution failed.

The vote fell largely along party lines, leaving the President free to continue military operations even though Congress has not declared war.

That should concern every American.

The Constitution is clear: the power to declare war belongs to Congress — not the President.

The Founders placed that authority in the legislative branch specifically to prevent any single leader from dragging the nation into war without the consent of the American people.

Congress had an opportunity to assert that authority.

It failed.

Instead of rising above party politics to defend the Constitution, Washington once again demonstrated how dysfunctional both the Democratic and Republican parties have become when it comes to one of the most serious responsibilities government has — deciding when Americans go to war.

The administration has said the U.S. strike was carried out after Israel launched its own pre-emptive attack on Iran, and that American action was taken partly out of concern that Iran might retaliate against U.S. forces or interests.

However, according to multiple media reports citing officials briefed on U.S. intelligence, lawmakers were told that intelligence agencies had no indication Iran was preparing a pre-emptive attack on the United States before the strikes occurred.

Decisions that could lead to war should be based on verified intelligence and debated openly in Congress — not speculation or assumptions.

Americans have seen what happens when intelligence surrounding war is rushed or misrepresented.

In 2003, the United States was led into the Iraq War based on claims that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction.

Those weapons were never found.

The result was a war that cost trillions of dollars, destabilized an entire region, and cost thousands of American lives.

That history should make every American cautious when new wars are justified without clear evidence and without Congress fully debating the facts.

Sending American troops into combat should never be treated as a partisan issue.

It is a constitutional duty.

If American lives are going to be placed at risk and billions of taxpayer dollars committed to another Middle East war, Congress must debate it openly and vote on it.

And there is another reality Americans need to understand.

Wars like this do not just cost lives overseas.

They cost trillions of dollars.

The Iraq War alone ultimately cost American taxpayers trillions of dollars.

Imagine what that kind of investment could have meant for communities across Northwest Georgia and the 14th District.

*Better infrastructure.
*Lower energy costs.
*Support for farmers and small businesses.
*More resources for veterans.
*Lower taxes for working families.

Instead, when wars escalate, families here often feel the impact immediately.

Instability in the Middle East drives up oil prices.

Higher oil prices lead to higher gasoline prices.

Higher fuel costs increase transportation costs.

Transportation costs drive up the price of food, goods, and services.

That means working families, farmers, truck drivers, and small businesses in Northwest Georgia often end up paying the price.

Congress attempted to act on March 4th — and failed.

That cannot be the end of the story.

Congress must continue pushing to reclaim its constitutional authority under the War Powers Resolution.

The American people deserve transparency, accountability, and a voice through their elected representatives before our nation commits to another costly war.

No President — Republican or Democrat — should have the power to wage war without Congress.

The Constitution must come before politics.

Rob "Rush" Ruszkowski