WASHINGTON: The United States Congress is set to convene this week to deliberate on a Senate war powers resolution and two separate measures in the House of Representatives seeking to restrict President Donald Trump’s authority to broaden US military operations against Iran without explicit congressional approval.
The Senate resolution, spearheaded by Senator Tim Kaine, invokes the War Powers Resolution enacted during the Vietnam War to limit presidential war-making powers. If passed, the measure would mandate the termination of US armed forces’ involvement in hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorises their continuation.
“The Constitution says we’re not supposed to be at war without a vote of Congress,” Kaine said, urging lawmakers to return to Washington for a vote, citing risks to American troops.
In the House, Representative Ro Khanna and Representative Thomas Massie have introduced a bipartisan resolution directing the president to withdraw US forces from hostilities against Iran in the absence of congressional approval.
Meanwhile, a more measured approach in the House has been backed by Representative Josh Gottheimer and other centrist lawmakers. While stopping short of calling for an immediate halt, they have emphasised adherence to existing law and consultation with Congress. Gottheimer expressed confidence that the president would comply with the War Powers Act.
The proposed votes follow coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian military and political targets, an escalation that has reportedly led to American casualties and heightened concerns over a wider regional conflict.
Democratic leaders have framed their stance around congressional oversight. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he had urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to provide clarity to Congress and the American public regarding the objectives of the strikes. Schumer also called for the Senate to reconvene to pass a war powers resolution.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded classified briefings and a formal vote, stressing that the administration must clearly define its national security objectives and outline a strategy to prevent a prolonged military engagement in the Middle East.
Progressive lawmakers have voiced stronger opposition. Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Jeff Merkley publicly declared their stance of “no war with Iran.”
However, divisions within the Democratic Party remain evident. Senator John Fetterman indicated he would oppose the resolution, terming it unnecessary.
Among Republicans, support for President Trump has largely remained intact. Senator Tom Cotton expressed confidence that elected Republicans would overwhelmingly back the president’s actions. Nevertheless, Representative Massie argued that expanding the conflict contradicts the “America First” doctrine associated with Trump’s foreign policy.
Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, questioned the clarity of the administration’s objectives, stating that the stated goals of the operation had shifted multiple times.
Even if either chamber approves a resolution, Congress would likely require a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to override a potential presidential veto — a challenging threshold given Republican control of both chambers.
The current effort recalls a similar attempt in 2020 when Congress sought to curb presidential war powers following the US strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
With partisan divisions deepening and tensions in the Middle East intensifying, the upcoming votes are expected to test Congress’s resolve in asserting its constitutional authority over matters of war and peace.