Republican Congress Passes War Powers Deadline Without Vote as Iran Ceasefire Continues
Congress allowed the May 1st War Powers Resolution deadline to pass Friday without voting to authorize or halt Trump's Iran war, as Republicans deferred to the White House despite the fragile ceasefire. Democrats argued the 60-day constitutional clock has expired.
War Powers Deadline Passes
Many Republicans who have been uneasy with President Donald Trump's war in Iran emphasized that there would be a May 1 deadline for Congress to intervene. But the date is now set to pass with no action from GOP lawmakers who continue to defer to the White House.
Constitutional Requirements Ignored
Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize the use of force within 60 days — a deadline that falls on Friday — or within 90 days if the president asks for an extension. But Congress made no attempt at enforcing that requirement, leaving town for a week on Thursday after the Senate rejected a Democratic attempt to halt the war.
Democratic Opposition
Democrats scoffed at the suggestion that May 1 is not the real deadline. 'I do not believe the statute would support that,' Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine told Hegseth in the hearing.
GOP Deference to Trump
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Thursday he doesn't plan on a vote to authorize force in Iran or otherwise weigh in. 'I'm listening carefully to what the members of our conference are saying, and at this point I don't see that,' Thune said.