War Powers Act (1973) – War Watch

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Senate Votes to Take Up Measure to Force Trump to End Iran War
ByMegan Mineiro May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

With four Republican backers, Democrats won a vote to advance a resolution that would force the president to end hostilities or win authorization from Congress.

Read More Senate Votes to Take Up Measure to Force Trump to End Iran War
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Republicans Waited to Challenge Trump on the Iran War. Now It May Be Too Late.
ByMegan Mineiro May 15, 2026

Having deferred to the president for months, G.O.P. lawmakers missed crucial milestones to try to limit his war powers. That has tied their hands in seeking parameters and exit criteria.

Read More Republicans Waited to Challenge Trump on the Iran War. Now It May Be Too Late.
Democratic Party | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Republican Party | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Emergency Powers (US) | War Powers Act (1973)

How the War Powers Act Could Pressure Trump to End the Iran War
ByRobert Jimison April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

A decades-old law allows the president to wage war without congressional approval for 60 days, then limits his options for continuing. President Trump may seek to get around it.

Read More How the War Powers Act Could Pressure Trump to End the Iran War
Defense Department | Democratic Party | Hegseth, Pete | House of Representatives | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Republican Party | Senate | United States Defense and Military Forces | United States Politics and Government | War and Emergency Powers (US) | War Powers Act (1973)

House Again Thwarts Challenge to Trump’s Authority to Continue Iran War
ByRobert Jimison and Megan Mineiro April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

The G.O.P. narrowly blocked a Democratic war powers resolution, but a senior Republican suggested that backing for the conflict is not open-ended and could wane as a statutory deadline approaches in weeks.

Read More House Again Thwarts Challenge to Trump’s Authority to Continue Iran War
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G.O.P. Senator Weighs Forcing Congress to Vote to Authorize the Iran War
ByMegan Mineiro and Robert Jimison March 26, 2026

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska is drafting a formal authorization for the use of military force in Iran, seeking to put some parameters around the operation as the Trump administration has boxed out Congress.

Read More G.O.P. Senator Weighs Forcing Congress to Vote to Authorize the Iran War
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Senate Republicans Again Block Bid to Halt Iran War Without Authorization
ByMegan Mineiro March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

Senate Democrats failed for the third time to advance a resolution that would force the removal of troops from hostilities in Iran unless Congress approves offensive operations.

Read More Senate Republicans Again Block Bid to Halt Iran War Without Authorization
Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War Powers Act (1973)

Tim Kaine Is Forcing the Iran War Debate From the Minority
ByRobert Jimison March 14, 2026

Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, has found a way to repeatedly occupy floor time and force all senators to take votes challenging President Trump’s use of military force.

Read More Tim Kaine Is Forcing the Iran War Debate From the Minority
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House Turns Back Bid to Restrict Trump’s War Powers in Iran
ByRobert Jimison March 5, 2026March 6, 2026

A handful of Democrats joined Republicans to defeat an effort to force President Trump to go to Congress for approval to continue using force against Iran, while two G.O.P. lawmakers backed it.

Read More House Turns Back Bid to Restrict Trump’s War Powers in Iran
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How the Decision to Start a War Became the President’s
ByCharlie Savage March 5, 2026March 5, 2026

Presidents have sidestepped Congress to launch limited military strikes for decades. Trump’s decision to attack Iran is an aggressive escalation.

Read More How the Decision to Start a War Became the President’s
Defense Department | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Senate | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War Powers Act (1973)

Senate Thwarts Bid to Curb Trump’s War Powers on Iran
ByRobert Jimison March 4, 2026March 5, 2026

Nearly every Republican voted to block a measure that would require that President Trump win authorization from Congress to continue the offensive in the Middle East.

Read More Senate Thwarts Bid to Curb Trump’s War Powers on Iran