Hegseth Says Trump Can Restart Iran Strikes Without Congressional Approval
Primary region US
Tags Security · Policy · Justice
Regions US
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 12 that President Trump has full authority under Article 2 of the Constitution to restart military strikes on Iran without congressional approval, despite the War Powers Resolution's 60-day limit having expired. The administration argues the 1973 War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) pushed back, stating the law 'is pretty clear' and that hostilities have not actually ended. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Democrats will force a seventh Senate vote on a War Powers Resolution to end the Iran war. The White House maintains hostilities ceased on May 1, the day of the deadline.
Strategic interpretation
The administration's assertion of unilateral war powers sets up a constitutional confrontation with Congress. Murkowski's public dissent signals potential Republican fracture on the issue, though previous War Powers votes have failed along party lines. The legal theory that the president can unilaterally restart hostilities after declaring them ended could significantly expand executive war-making authority.