Lawler sides against Congress on war authority

Dear Editor,

Congress is supposed to decide when this country goes to war. That’s not a procedural nicety — it’s the Constitution, designed to prevent exactly what we're watching now: a president initiating sustained military action while the public is left to guess at the objective, the legal authority, the cost, and the endgame.

Representative Mike Lawler (NY-17) opposed the Massie–Khanna War Powers effort aimed at restoring Congress’s role regarding military action against Iran. In plain English: when Congress tried to assert its constitutional authority, Lawler chose to step aside.

If Rep. Lawler believes this conflict is justified, he should stop hiding behind statements and support a formal authorization for the use of military force — a vote on the record — and explain to his constituents what “success” means, how escalation will be avoided, what the exit strategy is, and what this will cost in American lives and taxpayer dollars. If he won't vote to authorize it, then he has no business helping the president wage it.

Calling yourself a “moderate” while surrendering Congress’s most serious responsibility is not moderation. It’s abdication. It concentrates the war power in the hands of one person and turns elected representatives into spectators — except when it’s time to provide political cover.

NY-17 deserves a congressman who defends checks and balances when it counts, not one who rubber-stamps them away.

-Philip DuBon, Mount Kisco