The Senate will conduct a procedural vote on a resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump from launching further military strikes on Iran without the approval of Congress. This measure, led by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which was enacted to ensure that Congress retains its constitutional authority to declare war.
The resolution is supported by most Senate Democrats and at least one Republican, Senator Rand Paul. However, it is expected to fail, similar to seven other war powers resolutions introduced since last summer. Republican lawmakers have largely aligned with President Trump, with Senator Lindsey Graham expressing support for ongoing military operations.
In the House of Representatives, another war powers resolution is anticipated for a vote on Thursday, where Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he has sufficient support to defeat it. Even if both chambers were to pass the resolution, President Trump could veto it, and historically, Congress has not overridden a presidential veto concerning war powers.
Frustration is growing among Democrats, who argue that Trump has increasingly bypassed Congress on military actions. Since taking office, he has ordered military strikes in several countries without seeking legislative approval. Although Trump provided a legally required notification to Congress following recent airstrikes on Iranian targets, the rationale for these actions has varied, leading to skepticism among lawmakers.
While some Republicans maintain that the administration is operating within legal constraints, others have expressed concerns about potential escalation, especially if ground forces are deployed. Notably, not all Democrats support the war powers resolution, with some advocating for a more measured approach to military authorization.