Congress to Debate Ongoing US-Israel Strikes on Iran

Lawmakers prepare war powers resolutions as military operations continue without clear strategy or end in sight

Mar. 2, 2026 at 4:15pm

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The U.S. Congress is set to launch a war powers debate over President Donald Trump's authority to order U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran, even though the bombing campaign, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury,' is already underway. Unlike past conflicts, Congress did not approve this military action, raising constitutional questions about the president's ability to unilaterally commit the country to war.

Why it matters

The situation highlights the ongoing tension between the executive and legislative branches over war powers, with Congress asserting its constitutional authority to declare war, while the president has increasingly claimed broad authority to order military strikes without congressional approval. This debate could have significant implications for the scope and duration of the U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran.

The details

The U.S. and Israel have already carried out numerous airstrikes against Iranian targets, with at least four U.S. military personnel killed so far. President Trump has warned that more American casualties are likely. Congress is now preparing war powers resolutions to try to rein in the president's authority, but the Republican-controlled legislature is unlikely to muster the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.

  • The U.S. and Israel launched the military operation, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury,' in early March 2026.
  • Congress is expected to hold debates and votes on war powers resolutions this week.

The players

President Donald Trump

The Republican president who ordered the U.S. military strikes on Iran without prior congressional approval.

Congress

The legislative branch of the U.S. government, which has the constitutional authority to declare war but has struggled to restrain presidential war powers in recent decades.

David Janovsky

The acting director of The Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog organization, who argues that Congress must weigh in on whether the country is going to war.

Sen. Mark Warner

The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, who said Trump does not have the right to order military strikes on Iran without congressional approval.

Sen. Tom Cotton

The Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, who said the U.S. should expect an 'extended air and naval campaign' against Iran.

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What they’re saying

“The Constitution is intended to prevent the accumulation of power in any one branch of government — and in any one person in government.”

— David Janovsky, Acting Director, The Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight

“When the president commits American forces to a war of choice, he needs to come before Congress and the American people and ask for a declaration of war.”

— Sen. Mark Warner, Top Democrat, Senate Intelligence Committee

“There's no simple answer for what's going to come next.”

— Sen. Tom Cotton, Chairman, Senate Intelligence Committee

What’s next

The House and Senate are expected to hold votes this week on war powers resolutions aimed at limiting President Trump's authority to continue the military operations against Iran without congressional approval.

The takeaway

This conflict highlights the ongoing constitutional clash between the executive and legislative branches over the power to wage war. While presidents have accumulated significant authority to order military strikes, Congress is asserting its role as the sole body empowered to declare war, raising questions about the legality and strategy behind the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran.