Overview
- A bipartisan resolution by Sen. Tim Kaine with GOP co-sponsor Rand Paul invokes the 1973 War Powers Resolution to require congressional authorization for further hostilities against Iran.
- Wednesday’s procedural vote is expected to fail as most Republicans back the president, and even approval would face a likely veto that Congress is unlikely to override.
- House leaders plan a similar vote Thursday, and Speaker Mike Johnson has vowed to defeat restrictions on the president’s authority.
- Democrats say classified briefings did not show an imminent threat justifying unilateral action, while Republicans argue the president is operating within his commander-in-chief powers and within the statute’s 60‑day window without ground troops.
- The U.S.-Israeli campaign, launched five days ago under Operation Epic Fury, has killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and resulted in six U.S. service-member deaths, with officials warning operations could last weeks and markets roiled by energy and shipping disruptions.