MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO WHITE HOUSE

NO WAR WITH IRAN WITHOUT A VOTE

On June 22, 2025, President Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, targeting key sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan without prior consultation with Congress. The strikes marked a significant escalation in U.S. involvement amid growing hostilities between Iran and Israel. In response, bipartisan lawmakers in Washington have intensified efforts to reassert congressional authority over war powers, warning that the president’s unilateral military action sets a dangerous precedent and risks entangling the United States in another Middle Eastern conflict without public debate or legislative oversight. At the heart of this renewed push are two key legislative tools: the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and the newly reintroduced No War Against Iran Act—both intended to restrain executive authority to initiate hostilities without congressional approval.

The War Powers Resolution—passed in the wake of the Vietnam War—requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and limits such involvement to 60 days without explicit congressional authorization. Lawmakers are invoking this statute to challenge any unilateral action by President Trump that could draw the U.S. into armed conflict with Iran. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), along with a bipartisan coalition, has reasserted this legal framework in a new resolution designed to prevent any offensive military engagement with Iran absent congressional approval. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is leading a similar initiative in the Senate, citing constitutional concerns and the risk of entanglement in another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict.

Parallel to these efforts, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), joined by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), has reintroduced the No War Against Iran Act. This legislation would go even further than the War Powers Resolution by explicitly prohibiting the use of federal funds for any military force against Iran unless Congress has formally declared war or authorized such action through a specific statute. The bill also clarifies that it does not restrict the president’s ability to respond to an actual or imminent attack. According to Sanders, the goal is to “reassert Congress’s constitutional authority over matters of war and peace” and to prevent another “costly and unnecessary war.”

Democratic lawmakers, joined by some Republicans, have broadly criticized President Trump’s airstrikes on Iran as a unilateral act that sidestepped congressional authority. Many argue the strikes violated the War Powers Resolution, which requires legislative oversight of military engagements, and warn that further escalation without explicit approval risks undermining constitutional checks and balances. Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer has joined in condemning the move, calling it a troubling example of executive overreach. While not leading the legislative response alone, Schumer has voiced support for efforts to bring a War Powers Resolution to the Senate floor, emphasizing that Congress must not relinquish its responsibility to authorize acts of war.

As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to rise and U.S. military forces remain on high alert, momentum is building in both chambers of Congress to reclaim war-making authority. Progressives are advancing legislation, such as the No War Against Iran Act, to cut off funding for unauthorized conflict, while other lawmakers are rallying around the 1973 War Powers framework to demand proper oversight. Many leaders see these initiatives as necessary steps to restore institutional balance and ensure that decisions of such magnitude are subject to public accountability through the legislative process

H.J.Res.542 - Joint resolution concerning the war powers of Congress and the President. (War Powers Resolution: 1973 Version)

H.Con.Res.38 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. (War Powers Resolution: 2025 Massie Version)

Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. PDF (Massie)

Reps. Massie, Khanna Introduce Bipartisan War Powers Resolution to Prohibit Involvement in Iran (Massie, 6-17-25)

Bipartisan lawmakers to introduce resolution to prohibit US involvement in Iran (The Hill, 6-17-25)

What is the War Powers Act, and can it stop Trump from attacking Iran? (Al Jazeera, 6-19-25)

S.J.Res.59 - A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.

To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. PDF (Kaine)

Kaine Announces the Filing of a War Powers Resolution to Prevent War with Iran (Kaine, 6-16-25)

Sen. Kaine defends his war powers resolution bill requiring vote on action in Iran (Wavy, 6-19-25)

Sanders Introduces No War Against Iran Act (Sanders, 6-16-25)

No War Against Iran Act PDF (Sanders)

Bernie Sanders leads Democratic effort in Congress to ward off war with Iran (Middle East Eye, 6-17-25)

Leader Schumer Statement On U.S. Strikes On Iran Press Release (Senate Democrats, 6-21-25)

Democrats seek Iran message as Trump floats ‘regime change’ (Punch Bowl News, 6-23-25)