Congress gears up for vote on Trump's war powers in Iran after the battle began

"The Constitution says we're not supposed to be at war without a vote of Congress. This is important. The lives of our troops are at risk. We ought to come back to Washington right away and vote on this."

"If made law, the measures would block further U.S. military action in Iran without congressional approval under the 1973 War Powers Resolution which Congress passed during the Vietnam War as a check on executive war authority."

"Trump has no plan to avoid escalation into a wider conflict that puts more servicemembers in harm's way."

Congress is preparing to vote on bipartisan war powers resolutions designed to restrict President Trump's military authority in Iran following recent U.S. and Israeli attacks that resulted in American casualties. The resolutions invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution, requiring congressional approval for continued military action. While most Democrats and some Republicans support the measures, passage faces substantial hurdles, including insufficient support for initial passage and the need for a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override an expected Trump veto. Supporters argue the Constitution mandates congressional authorization for war, and express concern about escalation risks to servicemembers. Previous similar efforts have failed to assert congressional war declaration authority.

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