60-day deadline countdown: Trump faces pressure from within Republican Party to end Iran war
As the 60-day limit under the War Powers Act approaches on May 1, President Trump faces mounting pressure from Republicans to either seek congressional approval or end military action against Iran.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 13:19
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The War Powers Act limits the President's power to wage war without congressional approval. It stipulates that if Congress does not formally declare war or authorize the use of military force, the President must terminate military action within 60 days. If it is to ensure the safe withdrawal of troops, an additional 30-day buffer can be requested.
Successive Democratic and Republican administrations have long argued that the Constitution grants the President broad powers as commander-in-chief, and there is no shortage of voices claiming that the restrictions set on the President by the "War Powers Act" are unconstitutional.
Some Republicans have already made it clear that they will not support extending military action after the 60-day threshold expires. Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah wrote in an op-ed earlier this month: "Without congressional approval, I will not support sustained military action beyond 60 days."
Key news on the US-Iran war
Central News Agency
(CNA, Washington, 22nd, Composite Foreign Report) Although US Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats from invoking the "War Powers Act" to limit President Trump's military actions against Iran, a 60-day threshold approaching in the act could become a turning point, potentially requiring Trump to back down or seek congressional authorization.
The New York Times pointed out that Trump initiated war with Iran without congressional authorization. Over the past eight weeks, congressional Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats' attempts to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution to pressure Trump. The latest instance was today when Senate Republicans blocked this move by Democrats for the fifth time.
The War Powers Act limits the President's power to wage war without congressional approval. It dictates that if Congress does not formally declare war or authorize military force, the President must terminate military action within 60 days. An additional 30-day buffer can be requested to ensure safe withdrawal.
The US and Israel started the war against Iran on February 28, but because Trump officially notified Congress of the military action on March 2, the 60 days must be calculated from that day, making the deadline May 1.
Under the War Powers Act, once the initial 60-day period expires, if the President does not obtain congressional approval, his options for continuing military action become limited. At that point, Trump will have three choices: seek congressional authorization for military action, begin to phase out US military operations, or seek a 30-day extension.
The War Powers Act allows for a one-time 30-day extension, provided the President certifies in writing that additional time is needed to ensure the safe withdrawal of US forces. But this does not give the President the power to continue offensive military operations.
The US Congress can at any time pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to allow Trump to continue military operations against Iran. This measure has become the primary method for Congress to approve military action, but since authorizing force against Iraq in 2002, the US Congress has not passed any other authorization of force, and formal declarations of war have not been used since World War II.
Successive Democratic and Republican administrations have long maintained that the Constitution grants the President broad powers as commander-in-chief, and there are many who argue the War Powers Act's restrictions on the President are unconstitutional.
In 2011, then-President Obama continued military operations in Libya after 60 days, arguing that "US operations do not involve sustained fighting or active exchanges of fire with hostile forces, nor do they involve US ground troops," and therefore the War Powers Act did not apply. Some lawmakers expect the Trump administration might adopt a similar argument.
Some Republicans have already indicated they will not support extending military action once the 60-day limit expires. Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah wrote in a commentary earlier this month: "Without congressional approval, I will not support sustained military action beyond 60 days."
Republican Representative Brian Mast of Florida, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also warned that if the conflict continues into May, Trump could lose significant support. After Republicans narrowly blocked Democrats in the House last week, Mast said the "vote count might be different" after the 60 days expire, hinting at the importance of the May 1 deadline.
Political news site POLITICO recently revealed that multiple Republican senators warned that if Trump cannot clearly explain his plan, he will face increasing pushback, including potentially losing their support for military action against Iran once the 60-day period ends.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said earlier this week: "I hope we are developing an exit strategy to end this conflict, secure our security interests, and lower gas prices."
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska stated that she and several other senators are drafting an AUMF against Iran, which will regulate when and how Trump can use military force.
Senior Republicans also reminded that if the executive branch hopes Congress will approve tens of billions of dollars in additional war funding, Republicans must first have a clearer understanding of Trump's ultimate strategy for Iran. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said: "I think members of our party will be paying very close attention to what the next step is." (Compiler: Chen Yi-wei) 1150423
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Successive Democratic and Republican administrations have long argued that the Constitution grants the President broad powers as commander-in-chief, and there is no shortage of voices claiming that the restrictions set on the President by the "War Powers Act" are unconstitutional.
Some Republicans have already made it clear that they will not support extending military action after the 60-day threshold expires. Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah wrote in an op-ed earlier this month: "Without congressional approval, I will not support sustained military action beyond 60 days."
Key news on the US-Iran war
Central News Agency
(CNA, Washington, 22nd, Composite Foreign Report) Although US Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats from invoking the "War Powers Act" to limit President Trump's military actions against Iran, a 60-day threshold approaching in the act could become a turning point, potentially requiring Trump to back down or seek congressional authorization.
The New York Times pointed out that Trump initiated war with Iran without congressional authorization. Over the past eight weeks, congressional Republicans have repeatedly blocked Democrats' attempts to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution to pressure Trump. The latest instance was today when Senate Republicans blocked this move by Democrats for the fifth time.
The War Powers Act limits the President's power to wage war without congressional approval. It dictates that if Congress does not formally declare war or authorize military force, the President must terminate military action within 60 days. An additional 30-day buffer can be requested to ensure safe withdrawal.
The US and Israel started the war against Iran on February 28, but because Trump officially notified Congress of the military action on March 2, the 60 days must be calculated from that day, making the deadline May 1.
Under the War Powers Act, once the initial 60-day period expires, if the President does not obtain congressional approval, his options for continuing military action become limited. At that point, Trump will have three choices: seek congressional authorization for military action, begin to phase out US military operations, or seek a 30-day extension.
The War Powers Act allows for a one-time 30-day extension, provided the President certifies in writing that additional time is needed to ensure the safe withdrawal of US forces. But this does not give the President the power to continue offensive military operations.
The US Congress can at any time pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to allow Trump to continue military operations against Iran. This measure has become the primary method for Congress to approve military action, but since authorizing force against Iraq in 2002, the US Congress has not passed any other authorization of force, and formal declarations of war have not been used since World War II.
Successive Democratic and Republican administrations have long maintained that the Constitution grants the President broad powers as commander-in-chief, and there are many who argue the War Powers Act's restrictions on the President are unconstitutional.
In 2011, then-President Obama continued military operations in Libya after 60 days, arguing that "US operations do not involve sustained fighting or active exchanges of fire with hostile forces, nor do they involve US ground troops," and therefore the War Powers Act did not apply. Some lawmakers expect the Trump administration might adopt a similar argument.
Some Republicans have already indicated they will not support extending military action once the 60-day limit expires. Republican Senator John Curtis of Utah wrote in a commentary earlier this month: "Without congressional approval, I will not support sustained military action beyond 60 days."
Republican Representative Brian Mast of Florida, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also warned that if the conflict continues into May, Trump could lose significant support. After Republicans narrowly blocked Democrats in the House last week, Mast said the "vote count might be different" after the 60 days expire, hinting at the importance of the May 1 deadline.
Political news site POLITICO recently revealed that multiple Republican senators warned that if Trump cannot clearly explain his plan, he will face increasing pushback, including potentially losing their support for military action against Iran once the 60-day period ends.
Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said earlier this week: "I hope we are developing an exit strategy to end this conflict, secure our security interests, and lower gas prices."
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska stated that she and several other senators are drafting an AUMF against Iran, which will regulate when and how Trump can use military force.
Senior Republicans also reminded that if the executive branch hopes Congress will approve tens of billions of dollars in additional war funding, Republicans must first have a clearer understanding of Trump's ultimate strategy for Iran. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said: "I think members of our party will be paying very close attention to what the next step is." (Compiler: Chen Yi-wei) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.