Congress Advances Resolutions to End U.S. Military Action Against Iran

The U.S. House of Representatives voted June 4 to approve a war powers resolution aimed at ending military action against Iran. The Senate advanced a similar measure through a procedural vote on May 19. A small number of Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in supporting the measures.

The votes mark the first time Congress has backed resolutions that could restrict continuation of the conflict that began February 28.

War Powers Resolution Congress enacted the War Powers Resolution in 1973 to limit presidential authority after the Vietnam War. The law requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of initiating hostilities and mandates termination of unauthorized military action within 60 days unless an emergency exists.

The 60-day deadline for the Iran conflict fell on May 1. Officials addressed the deadline by declaring hostilities terminated through a ceasefire, even as attacks and a blockade of Iranian ports continued.

The Senate measure still requires a full chamber vote and House approval. If both chambers pass either resolution, a two-thirds majority in each house would be needed to override an expected veto. Senate aides are awaiting a parliamentarian ruling on whether the House-passed measure qualifies as privileged.

"The war powers resolution that was passed by the House sends a strong signal to the president that lawmakers across the aisle think that this war has gone on for too long and violates the war powers resolution as well as the Constitution," said Katherine Yon Ebright, a war powers expert at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.

Recent polling showed 36 percent of Americans approve of U.S. strikes on Iran while 25 percent believe the benefits have been worth the costs.