Do Americans Have a Say in War?

War has become a more prevalent topic of interest this past month. With strikes on Iran and fears of World War III on many Americans’ minds, the question remains: How much control does the average person really have if their country goes to war? Does your voice matter? How can your thoughts and concerns be heard when it feels like danger is looming?

As the daughter of a veteran who passed away due to his time in war, this question hits hard for me. My concern for our troops and their families sits high on my list of priorities. While I don’t have all the answers, my hope is that by the end of this blog, I can provide you with both hope and a sense of power to protect what matters most to you.

Even if you’ve never served or had family in uniform, war shapes our economy, our communities, and the future we share. And while it can feel like decisions happen far above us, history shows that collective voices have the power to shape the course of conflict.

Who Decides if We Go to War?

If you looked through the news during the U.S. strike on Iran, you probably saw the word war used strongly or advised against. But how is war declared, and what did we do in Iran if it wasn’t technically a “war” move?

Under the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the power to formally declare war. This is a serious process that requires several steps:

 A Resolution or Declaration:
A member of Congress introduces a resolution to declare war.

Debate and Approval:
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate must debate and then pass the declaration by a majority vote.

Presidential Action:
The President, as Commander-in-Chief, then directs military operations after Congress has authorized them.

This process has only been used five times in U.S. history, most recently during World War II.

But in reality, most military action happens without a formal declaration. Presidents have broad powers, and Congress often signs off afterward. That’s why the strike on Iran wasn’t called a “war,” even though it looked and felt like one.

How Public Opinion Shapes Policy

While it can feel like decisions about war are out of our control and happen behind closed doors, history shows that public opinion can and does shift policy.

For example, the Vietnam War didn’t end just because leaders decided it was time to go home. It ended because people demanded it.

Common Cause was born in the midst of the Vietnam War. John W. Gardner and 4,000 people took a strong stance in the anti-war movement, lobbying Congress to cut off funding and driving the 26th Amendment to lower the voting age to 18. We activated people power and, through mobilizations and protests, we were able to shift the conversation. 

Another way we can influence decisions about war is through elections. When you vote for your members of Congress, you choose the people who have the power to authorize or oppose military action. If this is an important issue to you, you can raise it with your representatives who have already been elected, and, if you don’t like their stance, you can use your power to vote them out of office.

 Why This Matters

So why does any of this matter? How does this affect my everyday life?

In short, war affects everyone, whether or not you have loved ones in uniform.

Most individuals pay taxes that help fund military efforts. Income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes all contribute. And war requires billions of dollars, resources that could be used for schools, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Beyond funding, war also impacts veterans, military families, and the futures our kids will inherit.

Conclusion

Your voice does matter. Even if decisions about war can feel distant, you have the power to learn, speak up, vote, and advocate for what you believe in.

Whether you write to your representative, share what you’ve learned with friends and family, or show up to vote, you help shift the story, and that’s power.

Ready to make your voice heard? You can find and contact your members of Congress here.

– Keziah Gragg, Common Cause Illinois Intern