Date: March 3, 2026
The Honorable John Garamendi- United States House of Representatives Washington DC Office
2428 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Urgent Request to Support the Massie-Khanna War Powers Resolution and Oppose Unauthorized Military Action Against Iran
Dear Congressman Garamendi,
I write to you as a member of the Richmond City Council, representing the residents of a city with a long and proud history of standing for peace, justice, and diplomacy. I urge you in the strongest possible terms to do everything within your power to oppose an unauthorized war with Iran and to actively support the bipartisan War Powers Resolution introduced by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna.
The people of Richmond — your constituents — have made clear, time and again, that they do not support reckless military adventurism abroad. A war with Iran would be catastrophic — not only for the millions of people in the Middle East who would bear the immediate brunt of such a conflict, but also for American servicemembers, for our national security, and for communities like ours that continue to struggle with underfunded schools, housing insecurity, crumbling infrastructure, and inadequate healthcare. Every dollar spent on an unnecessary and unauthorized war is a dollar stolen from the needs of working families in Richmond and across this nation.
The Constitution is unambiguous: the power to declare war belongs to Congress, not to the Executive Branch. The Massie- Khanna War Powers Resolution is a critical reassertion of that foundational principle. It is not a partisan measure — it is a constitutio nal one, and it deserves the full -throated support of every member of Congress who has sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
I respectfully and urgently ask that you:
1. Co-sponsor and vote in favor of the Massie-Khanna War Powers Resolution, ensuring that no military action against Iran proceeds without explicit congressional authorization;
2. Use your voice and leadership within the Democratic caucus and on the House Armed Services Committee to rally support for this resolution and to oppose any appropriations or authorizations that would facilitate unauthorized military operations against Iran;
3. Publicly speak out against the march toward war and advocate for diplomacy, de- escalation, and peaceful resolution of tensions with Iran; and
4. Demand full transparency from the Administration regarding any military planning, deployments, or provocations directed at Iran.
Richmond has always been a city of conscience. From our shipyards during World War II to our stands against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our community understands both the costs of war and the value of peace. We look to you, as our representative in Congress, to honor that legacy.
The moment demands moral courage and constitutional fidelity. I trust you will rise to meet it. Thank you for your service and your attention to this urgent matter. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you or your staff at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Councilmember, City of Richmond, California
Cc:
Senator Alex Padilla
Senator Adam Schiff