As President Donald Trump seeks a deal to end the conflict with Iran and curtail the nation’s nuclear ambitions, some in Congress are trying to assert their power over the executive branch.
On Thursday, House Democrats attempted to advance a War Powers Resolution that would restrain the president’s ability to use force against Iran.
Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., entered a pro forma session of the House of Representatives—a perfunctory meeting where no legislative business generally occurs—and attempted to pass the resolution by unanimous consent.
Ivey’s attempt to get recognition was ignored by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who filled in as speaker and gaveled out the session.
The messaging stunt suggests Democrats remain interested in countering the administration’s policies in the Middle East, or at least forcing congressional Republicans into difficult votes on the matter.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told The Daily Signal in a statement, “President Trump has been transparent with the Hill since before Operation Epic Fury began, and administration officials provided over 20 bipartisan briefings for Members of Congress to keep them apprised of military updates.”
She added: “As the President said, many points have already been agreed to during the diplomatic process, and we are far along with a definitive agreement to deliver long-term peace in Iran and across the region.”
A War Powers Resolution failed in early March in a 212-219 vote. Congress has been out of session since March 27.
Two Republicans voted for the failed resolution, while four Democrats voted against it.
It remains unclear how durable the ceasefire will be, as Israeli and Iranian strikes have occurred since the beginning of the truce, and Trump has declared his intention to keep American weapons and personnel in the region.
House Democrats are seeking to tee up a vote on a war powers resolution when Congress returns to session.
Such resolutions are privileged—meaning they automatically come under consideration without needing leadership’s approval.
“A two-week ceasefire is woefully insufficient. Accordingly, we have demanded that the House come back into session immediately in order to vote on our resolution to permanently end the war in the Middle East,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a statement on Wednesday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also has said Senate Democrats intend to force a vote in his chamber on the Iran conflict.
There is little chance such a resolution could acquire a veto-proof level of support, but it could be an important test of congressional backing for the president’s Iran posture.
But apart from Democrats’ attempts to force Republicans into up-down votes on Trump’s war powers, some key stakeholders are arguing they should have a say in Trump’s dealmaking with Iran.
On Wednesday, a day after Trump and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had announced the start of negotiations, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of the Senate’s most vocal Iran hawks, said he wished for engagement from the administration on the talks.
“I look forward to the architects of this proposal, the Vice President and others, coming forward to Congress and explaining how a negotiated deal meets our national security objectives in Iran,” Graham wrote on X.
The South Carolina senator added that he would like to see Iran presented with a tough deal.
“The last thing I’m interested in is for Iran to be able to save face,” Graham wrote. “I’m interested in a deal that will stop their maniacal drive to a nuclear weapon among other things.”
One important variable is the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act—a law Congress passed to require the administration to submit nuclear agreements with Iran to Congress.
The law requires that the president submit any agreement relating to Iran’s nuclear program to the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees for their review.
