Many Republicans who expressed discomfort with the war initiated by US President Donald Trump against Iran emphasized that there would be a deadline of May 1 for the American Congress to intervene. However, the date is now poised to pass without Republican lawmakers taking any action, continuing to heed the White House’s decisions.
Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, Congress must declare war or authorize the use of force within 60 days – the deadline this Friday – or within 90 days, if the president requests an extension. However, Congress did not make any attempt to meet this requirement, entering a one-week recess on Thursday, after the Senate rejected, for the sixth time, a Democratic attempt to suspend the war.
The Trump administration has shown no interest in seeking Congressional approval. It argues that the deadlines established by the law do not apply, as the war in Iran effectively ended with the start of the ceasefire in early April.
The Senate Majority Leader, John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said on Thursday that he does not plan to vote in favor of authorizing the use of force in Iran or to comment on the matter in any other way. “I am listening closely to what members of our caucus are saying, and at this moment I do not see that happening,” he stated.
The reluctance to challenge Trump on the war comes at a politically delicate moment for Republicans, with growing public frustration with both the conflict and its impact on gasoline prices. Still, most Republican lawmakers say they support Trump’s leadership in times of war, or at least are willing to give him more time amid the fragile ceasefire.
Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, said he would vote in favor of authorizing the war if Trump requested it. Some other Republican senators have made clear that, eventually, they want Congress to have a say, such as Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski.
