Lawmakers introducing bill to limit Trump from entering war with Iran
FILE-A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack, on June 13, 2025. (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif. are introducing a bipartisan bill to restrict President Donald Trump from getting involved in the Israel-Iran conflict without congressional approval.
The announcement of the bill comes as President Donald Trump is contemplating the U.S. becoming more active in the fighting between Iran and Israel.
War Powers Resolution gains support from legislators
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Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. plans to introduce "a bipartisan War Powers Resolution" on Tuesday to prohibit U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran war.
War Powers refers to both Congress and the President’s Constitutional powers over military or armed conflicts by the United States. Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of The Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, according to Cornell Law School.
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Massie posted on X Monday that "This is not our war…But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution."
Ro Khanna, D-Calif. reshared Massie’s post on X, writing, "No war in Iran. It's time for every member to go on record. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan War Powers Resolution with Rep. Massie that is privileged and must receive a vote."
FOX News reported that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., both indicated that they would support the move.
Cortez responded to Massie’s post about the proposed bill, writing on X that she is "Signing on."
Other lawmakers have also proposed similar measures to Massie’s bill. On Monday Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) filed his own war powers resolution requiring congressional debate and a vote to sanction U.S. entry into the Israel-Iran conflict short of defending against potential attacks by Iran.
And in a separate bill, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced legislation cosponsored by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), on Monday that would ban the use of federal money for "any use of military force in or against Iran" without congressional approval, except for self-defense.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by Axios, Forbes, Time, FOX News, and social media posts from lawmakers supporting the proposed bill. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.