The legal battle over presidential authority has intensified as Democrats force a war powers vote and some Republicans break ranks
US lawmakers have intensified efforts to strip President Donald Trump of the authority to continue the Iran war launched by the US and Israel in February, after the 60-day deadline for military operations without congressional approval expired on May 1.
Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the president must obtain congressional approval within 60 days of introducing troops into a conflict or terminate their use, with a possible additional 30-day period to withdraw the troops.
Despite a ceasefire which has been in place since early April, the US continues to enforce a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway has been effectively closed as a result.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers are increasingly questioning the administration’s strategy and its efforts to sidestep congressional oversight, with critics arguing that the White House is violating the law by continuing the hostilities beyond 60 days without authorization. Democratic-led resolutions to curb the president’s war powers have repeatedly failed, but some Republicans have begun to break ranks.
The pressure comes after Iran proposed a 14-point peace plan last week seeking a permanent end to the conflict, rather than the previously discussed two-month ceasefire. Trump reacted with skepticism.
Trump’s claim that Iran conflict has been ‘terminated’ fuels dispute
In a letter to Congress on Friday, Trump said the hostilities with Iran have been “terminated.”
“Since April 7, 2026 not a single exchange of fire has been recorded between US forces and Iran,” Trump wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley. “The hostilities that began on February 28 have effectively terminated.”
According to Trump, he stayed within the 60-day limit during the war against Iran and therefore has not violated the law governing the use of force in overseas conflicts.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected the argument as “nonsense.”
“This is an illegal war and every day Republicans remain complicit and allow it to continue is another day lives are endangered, chaos erupts, and prices increase, all while Americans foot the bill,” Schumer wrote on X on Saturday.
Legal ‘pause’ argument
By declaring an end to the campaign, the Trump administration has advanced a legal argument that could clear the way for renewed military action, a view put forward by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
“We are in a ceasefire right now, which [in] our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses, or stops,” Hegseth told Senator Tim Kaine during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week.
Kaine disputed this interpretation, saying, “I do not believe the statute would support that,” citing “serious constitutional concerns.” Other Democrats have also challenged the administration’s position, with Senator Jeanne Shaheen saying the conflict remains unauthorized.
Republican Senator Todd Young also questioned the argument, asking: “Is a ceasefire valid if fire could resume tomorrow?”
House Speaker Mike Johnson backed Hegseth’s view, saying the Trump administration is seeking to broker peace and that he would be “very reluctant” to constrain it. “We are not at war,” he said, describing US actions as focused on “policing the Strait of Hormuz.”
Public opposition to Iran war growing
The developments come amid growing opposition to the war. A Washington Post poll published on May 1 found that 61% of Americans believe entering the conflict with Iran was a mistake. Surveys by NPR/PBS/Marist and CNN show a majority oppose the war, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll found support slipping to around one-third by late April.
Democrats are casting Republicans as prioritizing the president’s ambitions over the needs of the American people ahead of the midterm election in November, which could cost the party control of Congress, while repeatedly forcing votes to curb the president’s war powers.
Republicans start breaking ranks
The effort has so far failed as Republicans control both chambers, but while many remain supportive, some are losing patience.
Senator Susan Collins of Maine was among the first Republicans to break ranks, voting with Democrats and fellow Republican Rand Paul to curb the president’s authority. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has said she could back legislation allowing continued military action, but only with clear conditions for success and a timeline for withdrawal, rather than a “carte blanche” for the president. If more wavering Republicans join efforts to restrict Trump’s powers, it could limit his ability to act.
Iran’s peace plan
Last week, Iran proposed a 14-point plan seeking a permanent end to the conflict with the US, rather than the previously discussed two-month ceasefire, according to media reports. The plan reportedly includes guarantees against future attacks by Israel and the US, the lifting of sanctions, the withdrawal of US forces from areas surrounding Iran, and a new mechanism to govern the Strait of Hormuz. It also envisages a one-month negotiation period leading to the reopening of the strait, an end to the US naval blockade, and a formal end to the hostilities.
Trump expressed skepticism about the proposal, saying “they’re asking for things I can’t agree to.” He said he would review it, but added that he “can’t imagine” it would be acceptable, and that Iran has not “paid a big enough price” for its actions over the past 47 years.
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