Lawmakers Move to Challenge Trump’s Authority in Iran Conflict

The United States Congress is set to vote this week on measures aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military operations against Iran, following coordinated strikes carried out by the United States and Israel.

The votes, expected in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, come amid mounting debate in Washington over whether the president overstepped his constitutional powers by launching the operation without prior approval from lawmakers.

Under the US Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. However, the War Powers Act permits a president to deploy American forces in response to an emergency, provided Congress is notified and the engagement does not extend beyond 60 days without legislative approval.

President Trump has defended the military campaign, saying Iran posed an imminent threat to American interests. In a national address announcing the strikes, he argued that swift action was necessary to prevent potential attacks.

But critics question whether the administration has publicly demonstrated that such an immediate threat existed. Senator Tim Kaine has introduced a resolution requiring the president to seek congressional authorisation before continuing hostilities. He maintains that intelligence briefings available to lawmakers did not indicate an urgent danger that would justify unilateral action.

In the House, Republican Representative Thomas Massie has joined Democratic Representative Ro Khanna in pushing for a vote that would formally require Congress to debate and decide on the war. Massie has argued that elected officials must go on record either supporting or opposing the conflict.

The White House has said it notified a small group of senior congressional leaders shortly before the strikes began, in line with established procedure. However, some lawmakers say broader consultation is customary before major military operations.

For Nigerian readers, the dispute highlights the balance of power within the American system of government, where the presidency commands the armed forces but Congress controls declarations of war and funding. The outcome of the vote is unlikely to halt the military campaign immediately, as Republicans hold a majority in both chambers and are widely expected to oppose binding restrictions.

Even if Congress were to approve limits on the president’s authority, Trump could veto the measure. Overriding such a veto would require a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House — a threshold that analysts consider difficult to reach.