In a historic move, the U.S. Congress has passed a war powers resolution directing President Donald Trump to end military hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by lawmakers, marking the first time Congress has successfully used the 1973 War Powers Act to order a halt to an ongoing conflict.
The Senate approved the measure in a narrow 50-48 vote, joining the House of Representatives, which passed the resolution earlier this month. Four Republican senators broke ranks to support the legislation, highlighting growing bipartisan concerns over the administration’s handling of the Iran conflict.
The resolution represents a significant political rebuke to Trump and a renewed effort by Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over decisions of war and peace. Supporters argued that the president launched and continued military operations without proper congressional approval.
While the measure is largely symbolic and does not require the president’s signature, lawmakers say it sends a powerful message about executive power and military intervention. The White House dismissed the resolution’s practical impact, maintaining that hostilities had already ended following a ceasefire agreement with Iran.
The vote comes amid growing public skepticism about the conflict and increasing pressure on lawmakers to limit future military escalation. Analysts describe the resolution as one of the most significant congressional challenges to presidential war-making authority in decades.