President Donald Trump is approaching a critical legal deadline in the US military campaign against Iran, setting the stage for a potential constitutional confrontation between the White House and Congress.
Under the War Powers Resolution, the administration must begin winding down military operations within 60 days of notifying Congress unless lawmakers formally authorise continued action. That deadline falls on May 1, following Trump’s notification to Congress after US strikes on Iranian targets in early March.
No such authorisation has been granted, and Democrats argue that any continuation of hostilities beyond the deadline would place the president in violation of federal law.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the administration would be acting outside its legal authority once the 60-day threshold passes. He called on Republicans to join efforts to end the conflict, warning that Congress must assert its constitutional role in decisions over war.
The Trump administration rejects that interpretation. Officials contend that the 60-day clock was effectively paused after a ceasefire took effect in early April. A senior administration official said hostilities had ceased following the truce, and that no direct exchanges of fire have taken place between US and Iranian forces since then.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that position during testimony before lawmakers, arguing that the War Powers timeline does not continue to run during a suspension in active combat. Democrats have dismissed that reading, saying the law contains no provision allowing the clock to stop.
The dispute comes as tens of thousands of US troops remain deployed across the Middle East and as the financial and human costs of the conflict continue to mount. According to lawmakers opposing the war, 13 American service members have been killed since the campaign began.
On Thursday, the Senate voted down a resolution introduced by Senator Adam Schiff that sought to limit Trump’s authority to continue military operations without congressional approval. It was the latest unsuccessful attempt by Democrats to force a vote on ending the conflict.
While Republican leaders have largely backed the president, signs of unease are emerging within the party. Senator John Curtis said that continued military action beyond the deadline would require explicit approval from Congress. He indicated he would not support an open-ended campaign without formal authorisation.
Even if Congress were to pass legislation restricting the president’s war powers, it would face steep obstacles in the Republican-controlled House and would likely be vetoed by Trump.
The War Powers Resolution, enacted after the Vietnam War, has rarely succeeded in limiting presidential military action. Still, the approaching deadline has renewed debate over the balance of power between Congress and the presidency in matters of war.
