A growing number of Republicans are signaling they could soon join Democrats in advancing legislation to restrict President Donald Trump’s use of military force against Iran.
Trump notified Congress on March 2 regarding U.S. military actions against Iran, initiating a 60-day period under the War Powers Resolution of 1973 that requires congressional authorization or termination of hostilities. The statutory deadline expired May 1.
House and Senate Republicans have consistently opposed multiple War Powers resolutions supported by Democrats since February 28. However, lawmakers have reportedly grown frustrated with what they describe as a lack of strategic clarity from the administration and have cited rising fuel costs affecting constituents.
On May 14, the House narrowly defeated a War Powers resolution for the third time, ending in a 212-212 tie under house rules. Three Republicans—Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), Tom Barrett (Michigan), and Thomas Massie (Kentucky)—voted in favor.
The sole Democrat to oppose the measure was Representative Jared Golden of Maine, who stated he will support the next resolution. Golden, a former Marine with service in Iraq and Afghanistan, explained his opposition to the prior measure due to its inclusion of a withdrawal deadline that had already passed.
Senate momentum may also be shifting. The chamber rejected a War Powers resolution for the seventh time last week. Three Republicans—Senators Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Rand Paul (Kentucky)—voted with Democrats. Senator John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) was the only Democrat to vote against it.
Several Republican senators who opposed the resolution, including John Curtis of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Todd Young of Indiana, have urged Congress to assume a more active role if military operations extend beyond the statutory limit. Curtis has indicated he will not support tens of billions in supplemental funding for the conflict without congressional authorization. Tillis stated it would be “difficult” to continue the conflict beyond 60 days due to unclear strategic objectives.
The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, argued that the U.S. and Iran reached a ceasefire on April 7, effectively stopping the statutory clock. President Trump has also asserted that the War Powers Resolution itself is unconstitutional.
Even if Congress passes a resolution, Trump could veto it, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override—a threshold lawmakers do not appear close to achieving. Congress may attempt to pressure the administration through alternative measures such as restricting military funding or attaching authorization requirements to defense bills, though these efforts face significant political and procedural challenges.
