Lawmakers will vote on a bipartisan resolution seeking to halt Operation Epic Fury as debate intensifies over presidential authority and the scope of U.S. military action.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Senate is preparing to vote this week on a bipartisan War Powers Resolution aimed at terminating President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military strikes against Iran, following the deaths of four American service members during Operation Epic Fury.
According to a report by The Hill, the Senate will take up a resolution sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., that would end U.S. participation in the Iran conflict absent explicit congressional authorization. The measure faces significant hurdles in Congress and would likely be vetoed by Trump if passed.
Kaine told reporters Sunday that he expects the vote to occur Tuesday and said some Republican senators have privately voiced concerns that a prolonged military engagement could destabilize the Middle East and increase global energy prices — an issue with economic implications heading into the midterm election cycle.
The Virginia senator has argued that the administration has not articulated a clear endgame for the conflict. Although U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Kaine said the removal of Iran’s top leader may not produce regime change.
“The president seems to have no plan for the aftermath and it looks like Iran is now poised to choose a new leader from the current regime,” Kaine said during a call with reporters.
Several Republicans have indicated openness to the War Powers debate. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., posted on X that he “must oppose another presidential war,” in remarks captured in a social media post. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, are also viewed as potential supporters of the resolution.
Collins has stated that “sustained combat operations require full engagement with Congress,” while Murkowski has said lawmakers must be briefed “so we fully understand the scope, objectives, and risks of any further military action.”
Kaine said the president’s own comments suggesting a longer-term engagement have intensified the urgency for congressional involvement. “This is clearly going to be longer-term engagement, according to the president, so I’m hopeful that we’ll get more,” he said, adding that some Republicans may ultimately join the effort to limit executive authority.
In the House, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, echoed similar concerns about constitutional war powers. “Congress declares war. America is at war. Congress did not declare war,” Davidson wrote. “This week we’ll either see real intel, hear a persuasive explanation with a defined mission, and declare war / authorize a mission, or Congress must pass this War Powers Resolution and cease work in Iran. After 9/11 this took 3 days and Congress voted — House 420-1, Senate 98-0.”
Even if the resolution advances, it would face steep political and procedural barriers. However, the debate underscores renewed congressional scrutiny over the scope of presidential authority to initiate and sustain military operations without an explicit declaration of war.
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