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Rep. Khanna moves to block Trump’s unauthorized Iran military action
The resolution states that Congress has not authorized any hostilities involving U.S. forces against Iran.
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 20, Jun 2025
- 13:08 EDT
- 24
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Ro Khanna / File photo
Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan resolution that would prohibit the involvement of U.S. armed forces in hostilities against Iran without explicit congressional authorization.
The War Powers Resolution, co-led by Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), invokes Section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution and states that Congress has not authorized any hostilities involving U.S. forces against Iran and directs the President to withdraw such forces unless Congress explicitly approves such action.
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“No president should be able to bypass Congress’s constitutional authority over matters of war,” said Rep. Khanna, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems.
“The American people do not want to be dragged into another disastrous conflict in the Middle East. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan War Powers Resolution with Rep. Massie to reassert that any military action against Iran must be authorized by Congress,” he added.
Rep. Massie emphasized the constitutional role of Congress in war-making decisions. “The Constitution does not permit the executive branch to unilaterally commit an act of war against a sovereign nation that hasn't attacked the United States. Congress has the sole power to declare war against Iran. The ongoing war between Israel and Iran is not our war. Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.”
The resolution clarifies that the measure does not restrict the U.S. from defending itself against imminent threats or from conducting intelligence or counterintelligence operations, including intelligence sharing with coalition partners as deemed necessary by the President.
The resolution was introduced as a concurrent resolution in the House, which, under House rules, is considered privileged and can be brought to a floor vote within 15 calendar days even without committee action.
The move comes amid escalating tensions following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran's retaliatory missile strikes—events that have prompted U.S. military deployments to the Middle East for defensive posturing.
Trump has signaled intentions to decide on U.S. involvement within two weeks, while warning Iran of “unconditional surrender”—remarks that have further alarmed lawmakers.
Across Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties—including Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN)—have joined the call for congressional oversight. A related Senate resolution introduced by Kaine and Sanders mirrors the intent of Khanna’s proposal.
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