War in Iran hits 60 days, War Powers Resolution questioned

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - As military operations in Iran reach the two month mark, Trump administration officials claim the 60-day deadline imposed by the War Powers Resolution to get congressional authorization for continued involvement does not apply during a ceasefire.

“We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses, or stops,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

May 1 marks 60 days since official military operations kicked off in Iran. The timeline is now a point of debate, with some politicians agreeing with Hegseth, saying during a ceasefire, those days don’t count and the war has effectively ended.

The 1973 law requires Congress to declare war or authorize the use of force in an overseas conflict within 60 days — 90 if the president asks for an extension. None of those things have happened, and with a U.S. presence still in the Middle East, lawmakers are split on what comes next.

“Let’s make sure we finish what we started that, this reshaping of that geopolitical space in the Persian Gulf benefits us,” said Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga.

While many Republicans have backed American involvement in Iran, Senate Democrats saw a measure to limit Trump’s power there fail for the sixth time Thursday, a last-ditch effort to end military efforts.

“Where are we here, how much is this costing, what’s happening to the lives of our US servicemen… we’re sort of at this stalemate and in the meantime, the consumers, you know, Michiganders are paying the price,” said Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.

President Donald Trump dismissed concerns of congressional support and implied any further military action will be decided by him.

“We’re always in touch with Congress. But nobody’s ever sought it before, nobody’s ever asked for it before… why should we be different?” Trump said.

With lawmakers on a weeklong recess and the White House eyeing possible continued peace talks, tension will continue with an extended ceasefire but no official end.