The United States Congress is preparing to hold votes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives on measures designed to curb President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military operations against Iran. The move follows growing criticism that the president sidestepped lawmakers and stretched constitutional limits by initiating hostilities without prior legislative approval.

Although the resolutions are scheduled for consideration in both chambers, observers believe the Republican majority is likely to block any binding attempt to restrict the president’s powers.

Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has faced accusations of broadening executive authority, particularly in matters of war, traditionally reserved for Congress under the U.S. Constitution. Senator Tim Kaine has been one of the administration’s most vocal critics. Shortly after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes began, Kaine described the conflict as unnecessary and unlawful. Earlier in the year, he introduced legislation requiring the president to obtain congressional approval before taking military action against Iran. Following the outbreak of fighting, he urged lawmakers to reconvene and vote immediately on his proposal.

In a newspaper opinion piece, Kaine argued that classified intelligence briefings he had reviewed did not indicate any imminent Iranian threat that would justify military engagement. Central to the debate is whether Iran posed such an immediate danger — a legal condition that could permit unilateral presidential action under certain circumstances.

While only Congress can formally declare war, the 1973 War Powers Act allows a president to respond militarily to emergencies, provided lawmakers are notified and time limits are respected. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has characterized the confrontation as a full-scale war, while President Trump maintains that the action was necessary to counter an urgent threat.

Critics, however, say the administration has not sufficiently demonstrated that urgency. Some lawmakers are pushing bipartisan efforts to force recorded votes, though analysts note that even if such measures pass, they would likely face a presidential veto and struggle to secure the required two-thirds majority needed for override.