“Thank you for your service” is often heard from politicians who lack respect for U.S. troops and American honor.

Now, as a new Mideast war places our soldiers, sailors and airmen in harm’s way, the Republican Congress shirks the Constitutional duty to declare war or halt what may be an illegal military action by our Executive branch to support Israel.

Our ally Israel previously demonstrated willingness to commit war crimes against a helpless civilian population in Gaza, destroying civilian infrastructure, killing tens of thousands of children and subjecting civilians to siege starvation. Now, negligible Iranian military resistance permits Israel to target civilian infrastructure, including a desalination plant supplying water to millions. Bombing oil refineries and storage sites set fires releasing toxic gases on men, women and children. Our missile attack on a grade school killed 150+ girls. We torpedoed an Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka then abandoned the 100+ shipwrecked sailors. Is our military being led to participate in war crimes?

The Putin regime targets U.S. military personnel for Iran. President Trump rationalizes Putin’s aggression against U.S. forces, presumably because of our aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Congress refuses to sanction Russia.

Glib words of gratitude are one thing. Better Congress should protect our troops from needless conflict, illegal war, criminal conduct and malign Russian actions. It’s time to show real loyalty to our troops.

Mike Shivers MD

Altoona and Boulder, Colo.