Overview

• Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna introduced a privileged war powers resolution to bar President Trump from involving U.S. forces in the Israel-Iran conflict without congressional authorization.
• Progressive Democrats including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib endorsed the measure, citing past misrepresentations that led to prolonged Middle East wars.
• Senator Tim Kaine unveiled a parallel Senate resolution emphasizing that only Congress can authorize U.S. forces to engage in hostilities with Iran.
• Speaker Mike Johnson may challenge the resolution’s privileged status, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune has signaled likely resistance, highlighting divisions within both parties over war powers.
• The U.S. military’s recent role defending Israel from Iranian missile attacks has heightened urgency among lawmakers to assert congressional oversight of further involvement.