Hegseth Says Trump Can Restart Iran Strikes After 60-Day War Powers Limit
Updated
Updated · CNBC · May 12
Hegseth Says Trump Can Restart Iran Strikes After 60-Day War Powers Limit
14 articles · Updated · CNBC · May 12
Pete Hegseth told senators Trump could resume strikes on Iran without new congressional approval, even after the administration passed the War Powers Resolution's 60-day limit.
Article 2 of the Constitution gives the president all needed authority, Hegseth said, rejecting Sen. Lisa Murkowski's suggestion that Congress should provide an authorization for use of military force.
The administration avoided seeking approval by telling Congress on May 1 that hostilities had ceased, but Murkowski said the law requires operations to end within 60 days and argued that "it doesn't appear that hostilities have ended."
The dispute unfolded during hearings on a nearly $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request as the Iran war entered its third month under a shaky ceasefire and amid stalled negotiations.
That conflict has pushed up U.S. gasoline prices and global oil, with Iran still constraining the Strait of Hormuz, which carried about 20% of the world's oil before the war.
As oil prices surge and global trade stalls, what is the ultimate endgame for the Iran conflict?
Has presidential power to wage war now permanently eclipsed the authority of the US Congress?
Will a record $1.5 trillion defense budget trigger a new global arms race or secure lasting peace?
War Powers Deadline Looms: U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Volatility, Executive Power, and Global Economic Fallout
Overview
The War Powers Resolution (WPR) of 1973 was created to limit the President’s military authority and keep Congress informed about military actions, aiming to balance power over U.S. armed forces deployments. The Trump administration has reportedly complied with the WPR, but ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions show that, despite a declared ceasefire, the situation remains volatile. Diplomatic efforts to secure lasting peace have faced significant friction, and military incidents continue. This highlights the challenges in maintaining stability and the importance of legislative oversight in managing U.S. military engagements abroad.