Senate Democrats plan to bring a resolution to the floor next week that seeks to halt U.S. military operations against Iran and to compel President Donald Trump to seek congressional authorization before carrying out any further strikes, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday.
Schumer made the announcement at a press conference in his New York office, saying Congress must reassert its authority at what he described as a dangerous moment. His comments came hours after the White House announced a two-week ceasefire.
The ceasefire was agreed on Tuesday, occurring less than two hours before a deadline set by the president for Tehran to reopen the blockaded Strait of Hormuz or face devastating attacks on its civilian infrastructure. In the run-up to that deadline, the president warned that "a whole civilization will die tonight," language that generated international alarm and drew strong censure from Democrats. Dozens of Democrats called for the president's removal from office in response to his remarks.
Schumer labeled the president's statements "unhinged" and criticized the broader campaign against Iran, saying the military action had not succeeded in weakening Iran's government or stopping its nuclear program. The senator also noted that global fuel prices have risen during the conflict.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. The Trump administration has framed the military response as a decisive success, while military leadership has indicated readiness to return to combat if required. A senior U.S. general said U.S. forces remained prepared to resume fighting.
The White House maintains that the president's military actions are lawful and are within his powers as commander-in-chief to conduct limited operations intended to protect the United States.
Democrats in both chambers of Congress have, in recent months, repeatedly sought to pass resolutions under the War Powers framework that would require the president to obtain congressional authorization before initiating military operations. Those measures have failed to pass.
Republican lawmakers in Congress - who hold narrow majorities in both the Senate and the House - have, by and large, backed the president's approach in this matter.
The U.S. Constitution vests the power to declare war in Congress rather than the president, but that authority has historically been interpreted as not precluding short-term military operations or responses to immediate threats.
Separately, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the House should also take up a resolution to limit the military campaign against Iran. Appearing on CNN, he called for a permanent end to what he characterized as "Donald Trump's reckless war of choice."
Contextual note: The information above reflects statements and positions as reported by congressional leaders and the administration, as well as public declarations by Iranian authorities and military officials. It summarizes the competing legal, political and security views that are guiding the near-term push in Congress to assert its war powers.