Congress is split over war powers resolutions designed to force President Trump to step back from a war with Iran, but any measure to curtail his war-making authority would likely be vetoed.
Key facts
- Congress is divided over war powers resolutions targeting the Iran conflict.
- The resolutions aim to limit President Trump's ability to wage war with Iran.
- Trump would be nearly certain to veto any measure curtailing his war powers, according to CNBC.
Congress is divided over efforts to pass war powers resolutions intended to force President Donald Trump to abandon a war with Iran, according to reporting by CNBC.
The resolutions are aimed at curtailing the president’s ability to wage war with Iran. Such measures are a tool lawmakers can use to assert congressional authority over decisions involving military action.
However, the path forward for any such legislation appears steep. According to CNBC, Trump would be nearly certain to veto any measure that seeks to limit his ability to wage war with Iran.
A presidential veto would require a substantial majority in Congress to override, raising questions about whether the divided body could muster the support needed to enact any limits on the president’s war-making authority.
The split within Congress underscores the ongoing tension between the legislative and executive branches over control of military engagements abroad.
Why it matters
The dispute goes to the heart of a long-running constitutional question about who holds the power to take the country to war. How Congress resolves its internal divisions could shape the extent of U.S. involvement in any conflict with Iran.
Frequently asked questions
What are war powers resolutions?
They are measures Congress can use to assert its authority over military action. In this case, they are intended to limit President Trump's ability to wage war with Iran, according to CNBC.
Will these resolutions succeed?
Their path is uncertain. Congress is split on the measures, and CNBC reports that Trump would be nearly certain to veto any measure curtailing his ability to wage war with Iran.
What happens if Trump vetoes a resolution?
The source does not detail the outcome of a veto, but under standard procedure a veto would require a congressional supermajority to override.