A group of progressive lawmakers in the House of Representatives are questioning the U.S. military's involvement in the widening conflict in the Middle East, arguing that sending American troops to Israel and other support measures violate constitutional law.

Five House Democrats are calling on President Joe Biden to detail and justify the role of U.S. soldiers in supporting Israel in its ground invasions of Lebanon and Gaza, as well as the country's hostilities with Iran and Iran-backed militants.

Lawmakers contend that the U.S. military's extensive information sharing and operational coordination with Israel, as well as the decision last month to send 100 American troops to Israel to operate a missile defense system there, have exceeded the limits of the president's authority.

“U.S. military involvement in these wars has not been authorized by the United States Congress, as required by the Constitution and U.S. law,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Biden. “Congress has the sole power to declare war.”

The letter was led by Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) and Cori Bush (D-Missouri) and also signed by Reps. André Carson (D-Indiana), Summer Lee (D-Pennsylvania) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota ).

US REP. Rashida Tlaib (left) stands next to Representative Cori Bush at a press conference on Capitol Hill in May 2024 and opposes a crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. (Source: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters)

Loudly opposes Israeli operations

Lawmakers have been vocal in their opposition to Israel's military operations in the Middle East and said they are seeking to reinstate Congress' war powers amid growing unrest in the region.

An uneasy peace in the Middle East collapsed last year after Hamas and other terrorists stormed into Israel from Gaza, massacring civilians and taking hostages. The attack sparked Israel's deadly war in Gaza and led to conflicts with other Iran-backed militants, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

Iran and Israel have also been exchanging direct attacks against each other for months.

“The American people have made clear that they want an immediate ceasefire, an end to these wars, and the return of the hostages, rather than an intensification of American involvement in a potentially endless regional war,” the lawmakers wrote.

They said they were concerned about the deployment of American troops in the region, as well as the involvement of special forces and intelligence personnel in locating targets for Israeli operations in Gaza.

Lawmakers also expressed concern about reports that American military officials have discussed U.S. military strikes against Iran.

“This current involvement and any additional military involvement or deployment in the Israeli government's expanding regional war falls within the definition of 'hostilities' in the War Powers Resolution and is not a response to any imminent or actual attack against the United States.” “ wrote the lawmakers. “Therefore, these actions are not authorized.”

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 provides that only Congress can authorize the deployment of American military personnel abroad, whether through a declaration of war, statutory authorization or in the event that an attack against the United States triggers a national emergency.

According to the resolution, Congress may also order the withdrawal of all American troops involved in unauthorized hostilities.

“The Executive Branch cannot continue to ignore the law without Congressional action,” the lawmakers warned in their letter. “The American public deserves a say on the issue of war. Therefore, Congressional participation and debate are necessary.”

Democratic and Republican members of Congress have expressed outrage at the lack of congressional say in recent conflicts.

In January, senators questioned the legality of American airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who began firing drones and missiles at ships in the Red Sea early in the Gaza war.

“We have long advocated for deliberate congressional processes and authorizations for decisions that endanger service members abroad,” the senators said.

Congress has not signed war authorizations since the Iraq War in 2002 and last exercised its war powers in 2019, when it passed a resolution calling on then-President Donald Trump to end U.S. support for a Saudi-sponsored Arabia-led military intervention against Iraq to end Houthi.

According to the Watson Institute for International and Public, a authorization approved by Congress in 2001 that allowed the U.S. president to prosecute those responsible for the September 11 attacks has often been used in the years since to justify military operations in at least 22 countries used affairs at Brown University.

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