March 4, 2026
Senate Republicans just shot down a bipartisan effort to block President Trump’s ability continue this military operation in Iran. That’s because a war powers joint resolution just failed.
I’m going to tell you what the war powers resolution does in a second and more important what a more powerful lever would be to pull if congress actually wanted to put a stop to what’s happening in Iran… but first I want you to hear how the Trump administration views any war powers resolution that in any way would even attempted to stop president trump’s use of the u-s military – especially in Iran.
Now – here’s the thing. Secretary Rubio is accurate. Every president including President Obama has not recognized the war powers act as constitutional. Presidents believe that law infringes on their article ii constitutional powers as the commander in chief of the US military. And the Supreme Court has never weighed in on the war powers act either. But whether presidents comply with it or not the fact is – the war powers act is a law that has existed since 1973. It reasserts congress’s constitutional power to declare war. That’s why the definition of what’s happening in Iran is so important. Is it a war? Is it a special military operation? The definition matters. And if it is a war – the war powers act say says while the president is the commander in chief he can’t just deploy our men and women in uniform into hostile situations whenever he feels like it. This law lays out three scenarios that the president can deploy the United States military. One – if congress declares war. Two – if the president has specific statutory authorization to do so from congress or three if there is a national emergency because of an attack on the United States or on its armed forces. The law says in “every possible instance” the president *shall* consult with congress *before* introducing the United States armed forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances. And if this is passed – the law says the war that is specified in the bill cannot continue for more than 30 days and if it is – it must be authorized by congress.
As I said – the war powers resolution for Iran just failed in the Senate but the House will be voting on a similar war powers resolution tomorrow. It’s likely that will fail too.
So if a war powers resolution can’t really stop a president what can? Funding. It’s already being whispered that he Trump administration is going to ask congress to give them more money to continue to conduct this operation in Iran. And that supplemental funding for the US military – at least in the Senate is going to need Democrats to also vote yes. So – that is some serious leverage for not only democrats but some republicans who are concerned about funding another multi-trillion dollar war in the Middle East.
See how your Senator voted here.
Hear Secretary Rubio here.
