The U.S. Senate voted 50-48 to approve a war powers resolution instructing President Trump to halt military operations against Iran or seek congressional authorization, with four Republicans joining Democrats. This marks the first time both chambers of Congress have passed such a resolution, delivering a bipartisan rebuke to the president's war powers.
President Trump engaged in a heated shouting match with Senator Bill Cassidy and other Republicans during a closed-door lunch meeting over his Iran war framework deal, as Congress voted on measures to restrict his war powers. The confrontation came amid growing GOP discontent over a deal that critics say fails to achieve the administration's stated goals.
As the 60-day War Powers Resolution deadline arrived, the Trump administration argued that the April ceasefire means hostilities have 'terminated,' claiming no congressional authorization is needed despite ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.
President Trump notified Congress on Friday that he does not require congressional authorization for military operations in Iran, asserting that hostilities have ended due to a ceasefire he ordered on April 7, 2026. The notification came as the 60-day War Powers Act deadline was reached.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced Congressional questioning over the Iran war budget and costs, with the Pentagon claiming $25 billion in expenses while lawmakers disputed the figure could be as high as $1 trillion. The hearing marked Hegseth's first public Congressional appearance since the war began.
The US-Iran war reached its 60th day, triggering the War Powers Act deadline requiring Trump to obtain congressional authorization or cease hostilities, with at least three Republican senators, Collins, Tillis and Curtis, signaling they would not vote to extend the war. Senate Republicans blocked Democrats' fifth war powers resolution on April 28, though cracks are widening within the GOP as the conflict shows no sign of ending.
