Massie Leads Bipartisan Bid to Limit US Iran-Israel Military Engagement

Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has introduced a bipartisan War Powers Resolution directing President Trump to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress expressly authorizes military action. The resolution, co-led by Democrat Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and supported by progressive Democrats including the 'Squad' members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar, invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973 to restrict the president's ability to unilaterally engage in military conflict. It explicitly prohibits U.S. hostilities against Iran's government or military while allowing the president limited authority to respond to imminent threats and maintain intelligence cooperation. This legislative effort reflects a rare coalition of conservative non-interventionists and progressive anti-war lawmakers aiming to prevent U.S. involvement in the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which intensified following Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. While the resolution has drawn significant support, including from Senators Tim Kaine and Bernie Sanders, some pro-Israel members of Congress have opposed it. The measure emphasizes that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war, underscoring concerns over unchecked executive power in foreign military engagements.