Congress Moves to Strip Trump's War Powers on Iran — Both Chambers Advance Resolutions

Here's the situation in plain terms: the U.S. has been at war with Iran for over three months, and Congress is now pushing back — hard — against President Trump's authority to keep fighting without their sign-off.

Let's rewind quickly. On February 28, the U.S. joined Israel in launching strikes on Iran — a military operation the Trump administration called "Operation Epic Fury." Trump never asked Congress for permission, and critics say that's illegal under a 1973 law called the War Powers Resolution. That law gives the president 60 days to engage in military action before Congress must either declare war or authorize the use of force. That clock has now run out.

So what happened this week? The House voted 215–208 to pass a war powers resolution that would direct Trump to pull U.S. forces from the conflict unless Congress formally authorizes the war. Four Republicans — Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom Barrett of Michigan, and Warren Davidson of Ohio — broke with their party and crossed the aisle to make it happen. "Enough is enough," said Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who led the effort. Meanwhile, the Senate had already advanced its own version of a war powers measure last month, also with a handful of Republicans peeling away.

Here's the part that matters most to you personally: this war is hitting your wallet. Since the strikes began, gas prices have spiked at the pump. Iran has also been able to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical waterway for oil, natural gas, and fertilizer. Higher fuel and fertilizer prices mean higher prices on basically everything. Rep. Thomas Massie put it bluntly after the vote, pointing to high gas and diesel prices and fertilizer costs his constituents in Kentucky couldn't afford.

Now for the reality check. This is largely a symbolic move — for now. The House resolution is a "concurrent" resolution, which means it would need both chambers to pass it but, notably, would NOT go to Trump's desk for a signature. The White House has already dismissed it as an "unconstitutional legislative veto." The Senate version, a "joint" resolution, does carry the force of law — but it would need to pass the House too, and then Trump could veto it. No war powers resolution has ever survived a presidential veto in history.

Speaker Mike Johnson tried to block the vote earlier in May — he abruptly shut down floor action when it became clear the resolution might pass — but when Congress came back from Memorial Day recess, the votes were there. Johnson and most Republicans argue the move "weakens the president's hand" as he tries to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed that at a hearing the same day, warning Iran would think America's hands were tied and have less incentive to make a deal.

Trump, for his part, was not subtle. He called it "a meaningless vote" on Truth Social and labeled the four Republicans who defied him "GRANDSTANDERS."

Bottom line: support for this war is clearly eroding in Congress, gas prices and global shipping disruptions are real consequences you're feeling, and the constitutional fight over who gets to decide when America goes to war is far from settled.