War? What war?
The Trump administration considers the conflict with Iran that began on Feb. 28 to have “terminated” when it comes to the law that requires Congress to authorize military actions overseas, a senior administration official said late Thursday.
The 1973 War Powers Resolution states that congressional approval is needed for military operations to continue beyond 60 days. Friday marks 60 days since President Donald Trump notified Congress the war with Iran began.
But the administration official said that an April 7 ceasefire has been extended and there’s been no exchange of fire between the United States and Iran since then. U.S. Navy ships are currently blockading Iranian ports.
However, the White House asserts that the war powers clock has been reset. Democrats and some Republicans are sure to reject this argument.
Democrats have repeatedly forced unsuccessful war powers votes related to Iran, most recently on Thursday.
Democratic leaders did pick up support from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) for the first time on that vote. The Maine Republican said the 60-day deadline for the administration to either get congressional approval or end hostilities is “not a suggestion; it is a requirement.”
Though Collins is the only one to break publicly, Republican unease over the lack of a clear exit strategy for the conflict has mounted in recent weeks.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier on Thursday that days of ceasefire don’t count toward the 60-day mark, an argument immediately brushed aside by congressional Democrats.
