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By Andrew Stanton
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Support to pass a war powers resolution to curb President Donald Trump's authority has growing support in Congress amid frustration with the administration's approach to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly wrote in a statement to Newsweek, "President Trump has been transparent with the Hill since before Operation Epic Fury began, and administration officials provided over 20 bipartisan briefings for Members of Congress to keep them apprised of military updates. As the President said, many points have already been agreed to during the diplomatic process, and we are far along with a definitive agreement to deliver long-term peace in Iran and across the region."
Why It Matters
Previous efforts to curb Trump's military action against Iran have failed, with four Democrats and all but two House Republicans voting against a war powers resolution last month. However, some of the members who voted down the initial resolution have since changed their position following the president's remarks about the war. On Tuesday, prior to announcing a two-week ceasefire with Iran, Trump warned that a "whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," if Washington and Tehran did not reach a deal by 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The president's rhetoric has drawn bipartisan criticism and concerns about the potential use of a nuclear weapon. House Democratic leaders have indicated that they plan to bring a new vote on war powers in the coming days.
House Democrats Plan To Introduce War Powers Resolution
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, told CNN on Tuesday that he planned to "present a war powers resolution as soon as it becomes available to us to do so as a matter of privilege on the House floor."
"All we need are a handful of Republicans to join us. The American people strongly oppose this reckless war of choice and know that we should not be spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in Iran while Republicans and Donald Trump are unwilling to spend a dime to actually make life more affordable for the American people, including but not limited to, by extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits," Jeffries said.
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Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California have led efforts to pass a war powers resolution, which would rein in Trump's power to continue waging war on Iran without congressional support. The initial vote came days after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28.
The previous resolution narrowly failed to garner enough support to pass the House of Representatives, with 212 lawmakers voting in favor and 219 against.
Two of the four Democrats who initially opposed the resolution have said they would now vote in favor of curbing Trump's powers. Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas said in a statement that he intended to support the resolution because he believed the administration's answers about objectives and an exit strategy had "not been sufficient."
"And because of that, I intend to support a war powers resolution when it comes before the House again. Not as a rebuke, but as a reaffirmation of Congress' constitutional role and our shared responsibility to the American people," he wrote.
Representative Greg Landsman of Ohio signaled in March that he would vote in support of such a resolution.
"I will vote for Congressman Meeks' War Powers Resolution if it comes to the floor. I urge every one of my colleagues to vote Yes. The United States Armed Forces have accomplished remarkable tactical and strategic successes," he wrote in a statement.
Here is a full list of House members who have shown support for curbing Trump's war powers.
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https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/28425187/
Which Senators Support War Powers Resolution?
The Senate has also voted down a similar resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat.
Here is a list of senators who have supported that resolution.
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https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/28426512/
What People Are Saying
Senator Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, wrote on X: "A war powers resolution will not be enough. Yes. We need to assert congressional authority and stop this illegal war in Iran. But, Trump is clearly an unstable warmonger at odds with the will of the people. Removal is the top priority. No more war criminal in the White House."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, wrote on X: "Trump is a military moron. His war, with a price tag of $44 billion and $4+ gas, made us worse off today than we were when he started it. And if he restarts this war we will be in even worse shape. We must pass our War Powers Resolution to end this war for good."
Representative Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat, wrote on X: "Deeply relieved that the bombs will stop—for now. But threatening the destruction of an entire civilization has repercussions. Republicans must call Congress back NOW, pass a war powers resolution, & stop this unauthorized war. And Trump must be removed from office immediately."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The United States will work closely with Iran, which we have determined has gone through what will be a very productive Regime Change! There will be no enrichment of Uranium, and the United States will, working with Iran, dig up and remove all of the deeply buried (B-2 Bombers) Nuclear 'Dust.' It is now, and has been, under very exacting Satellite Surveillance (Space Force!). Nothing has been touched from the date of attack. We are, and will be, talking Tariff and Sanctions relief with Iran. Many of the 15 points have already been been agreed to."
What Happens Next
Trump and Iran have reached a two-week ceasefire agreement to negotiate a 10-point peace plan and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
While Democrats have signaled support for holding another war powers vote, it remains unclear whether more Republicans will support the measure.
Update 4/8/26 1:54 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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