The United States’ military actions against Iran last Saturday (28) provoked a strong reaction in the American Congress, where parliamentarians are preparing initiatives to restrict President Donald Trump’s war powers. The offensive, which resulted in the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, divided the Legislature and reignited debate over constitutional control over the use of military force.
Democratic leaders in the Senate and House are demanding an immediate vote on a bill that would impose limits on the president’s power to initiate or expand hostilities without express authorization from Congress. The measure is based on the War Powers Act of 1973, which aims to ensure that Parliament exercises its constitutional prerogative to authorize military action.
Senators including Charles Schumer and Tim Kaine, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, are articulating a resolution that would force the House to vote on any new phase of the military campaign against Iran — rejecting unilateral actions without legislative backing.
The proposal comes after the White House said Trump warned key committee leaders about the offensive, but without providing enough details to many lawmakers. Briefings should take place later this week to clarify the objectives and legal justifications for the military action.
Internal division and campaign promises at stake
The reaction to the attack exposes a deep political divide in Washington. Many Democrats accuse Trump of contradicting election promises to avoid “infinite wars” by signaling that bombings in Iran could continue for weeks, as he himself stated on social media.
Some Republicans have supported the president, defending the need for the operation to defend the interests of the United States and its allies. However, a fraction of the party itself expresses constitutional concerns about the use of military power without authorization from Congress, which strengthens the bipartisan initiative around the resolution.
