Senate

GOP senator calls to end Iran operations without formal declaration of war

Comments:

by Ryan Mancini - 04/03/26 7:00 PM ET

Comments:

Link copied

by Ryan Mancini - 04/03/26 7:00 PM ET

Comments:

Link copied

NOW PLAYING

Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) said Wednesday he will not support the U.S.-Israeli military offensive in Iran after the conflict reaches 60 days without congressional approval.

Curtis wrote in the Salt Lake City-based media outlet Deseret News that the War Powers Resolution of 1973 limits the president’s period of time to respond to “emerging threats.” He called the conflict with Iran nothing new, “a long-standing, well-organized and well-funded campaign against American lives and interests.”

“At the same time, here in America, constitutional limits are in place to temper the president from unilateral authority,” Curtis wrote. “I support the president’s actions taken in defense of American lives and interests. However, I will not support ongoing military action beyond a 60-day window without congressional approval.”

Curtis called the 60-day period a “fully sufficient window for presidents to take emergency measures in response to a national threat and then remit a decision to the duly elected representatives of the people as to whether a state of war should in fact be declared and continued.”

He credited the formation of the War Powers Resolution following the Vietnam War as a “reasonable compromise” that gives presidents the authority to respond to threats. It also ensured that the “tragic cost” of the Vietnam War “was never again exacted from our nation’s best blood without a congressional declaration of war.”

Curtis also cited the balance of power mandated by the Constitution.

“I understand the need to replenish U.S. stockpiles, strengthen the defense industrial base and maintain the capabilities needed to deter China; I would support a supplemental focus on those efforts,” the Utah Republican wrote. “But I cannot support funding for continued military operations without Congress having the opportunity to weigh in.”

“Supporting decisive action in the moment and insisting on constitutional accountability in the long term are not contradictions but a tension mandated by our founding documents. On matters of such dire national consequences, the president and Congress are supposed to work in concert. Let us ensure that they do,” Curtis concluded.

House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) said he agreed with Curtis “that the Constitution means what it says: only Congress can declare war.”

“The war against Iran is clearly a war,” Lieu wrote on the social platform X. “I will also not even consider voting for a dime of military funding for the war unless Congress first approves an [authorization for use of military force] AUMF.”

President Trump has not formally gone to Congress requesting a declaration of war against Iran. He and his administration have argued that the conflict is weeks away from concluding, with the military operation “near completion.” But the president, however, on Wednesday threatened Iran with sending it “back to the stone ages” if a deal is not reached.

House Republicans shot down an attempt to rein in Trump’s war powers since the military offensive began on Feb. 28.

But as the Trump administration has struggled to articulate its objectives in Iran and how soon the conflict could end, while also dismissing the conflict’s effect on the economy, Democratic lawmakers anticipate making another attempt at passing a war powers resolution after Congress returns from its spring recess.

Democrats have told The Hill that they are talking to Republicans who are fed up with the administration’s vague objectives and opaque exit strategy. It remains unclear how many Republicans could back another war powers vote after two, Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Warren Davidson (Ohio), backed the initial vote in March.

Other Republican lawmakers have expressed concern over the conflict escalating. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) echoed Curtis in that Trump has not come to Congress requesting an AUMF.

“If there’s going to be conventional troops on the ground, a mainland invasion, for example — this is a different phase of the war or conflict that we would be entering into, and Congress needs to be briefed,” she told CNN’s Kate Bolduan on Friday. “Congress needs to have a say.”

Add as preferred source on Google