Pentagon calls timeout on War Powers
The Pentagon has invoked a “timeout” under the War Powers Resolution amid the ongoing US military engagement in Iran, as the 60-day congressional authorization deadline approaches today, May 1, 2026. This refers to pressure on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during Senate hearings, where lawmakers grilled him over continuing operations without explicit approval.
The 1973 War Powers Resolution limits presidents to 60 days of hostilities (plus a 30-day withdrawal) without Congress’s consent, triggered by Trump’s Iran actions earlier this year. A fragile ceasefire exists, but US naval forces enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports keep the clock running, per legal experts.
Republicans in Congress, like Rep. Don Bacon, insist operations must stop without approval, while Democrats push resolutions blocked by Senate Republicans. VP JD Vance called the law “fake and unconstitutional,” signaling White House defiance.
Trump could seek authorization, extend via safety certification, or ignore it—past presidents have stretched the law without formal war declarations since WWII. The White House notes “active conversations” with Congress but no firm commitment.
