BRATTLEBORO-Our members of the Vermont State Legislature should support Defend the Guard legislation, which would prohibit the deployment of the Vermont National Guard to foreign combat in the absence of congressional authorization.
Our legislators' support will protect the specific power outlined in the Constitution stating the Congress shall have the sole authority to declare war.
It is imperative that Congress fulfills its duty to prevent the president from unilaterally engaging the United States in war without a congressional declaration.
If we must engage in war, it must be with the full support of the American people. Instead of fueling endless undeclared wars, we can redirect Vermont's National Guard toward tackling floods, pandemics, and other humanitarian challenges.
Deb Pierotti
Brattleboro
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