Hegseth Says Trump Can Resume Iran Strikes Without Congress
CNBC reported Tuesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate panel the president retains full authority to resume Iran strikes without seeking Iran strikes congressional approval, even after the administration surpassed the 60-day threshold set by federal war powers law.
Hegseth Invokes Article 2 Before Senate Panel
Hegseth appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to defend the administration’s nearly $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027. Under questioning from Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, he argued that the Constitution’s Article 2 provisions give the president all necessary authority to recommence military operations against Iran. “Should the president make the decision to recommence, we would have all of the authorities necessary to do so,” Hegseth told Murkowski, according to CNBC. He also pushed back on her suggestion that a formal Authorization for Use of Military Force from Congress would strengthen the president’s position.
Also Read: Oil Markets Brace for Extended Strait of Hormuz Disruption
A Law the Administration Calls Unconstitutional
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires the president to obtain congressional authorization for sustained military operations within 60 days of committing forces. The Trump administration has consistently argued the statute is unconstitutional and that Article 2 of the Constitution grants the executive branch independent war-making powers. The White House formally notified Congress on May 1 that hostilities with Iran had ceased, a declaration that conveniently arrived on the same day the 60-day deadline expired, effectively sidestepping any authorization requirement.
Also Read: What Is the War Powers Resolution and How Has It Been Challenged?
Three Months of Conflict Squeeze Global Oil Supply
The Iran conflict, now entering its third month, has sent energy markets into turmoil. Iran has maintained a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that previously handled roughly one-fifth of global oil flows, driving pump prices higher across the United States and pushing crude benchmarks sharply upward worldwide. Negotiations to end the conflict remain deadlocked, and the ceasefire in place has been described as fragile by multiple officials. Murkowski challenged the administration’s claim that hostilities had ended, noting the War Powers Resolution clearly requires the president to terminate military engagement within 60 days absent a congressional vote. Her remarks signaled growing unease on Capitol Hill over the executive branch’s broad interpretation of its own war powers.
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