The White House has informed the U.S. Congress in a letter on Friday, May 1, that hostilities with Iran have "terminated," even though American military forces remain stationed in the region. This communication effectively bypasses a May 1 legal deadline for President Donald Trump to secure congressional approval to continue the conflict.
War Powers Resolution Deadline Avoided
The deadline, established by the War Powers Resolution of 1973, mandates that the president obtain authorization within 60 days of initiating hostilities. That window closed this Friday. Trump argued that the war, which started on February 28, 2026, effectively concluded with a fragile ceasefire in early April, rendering the deadline inapplicable.
"The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated," Trump wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Chuck Grassley. However, he cautioned that the threat remains "significant" and that U.S. forces will stay in the region to secure a lasting peace.
Republican Reactions Divided
The move comes as Republican lawmakers remain largely divided but deferential to the executive branch. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated he does not plan to hold a vote to authorize force, while Senator Kevin Cramer questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution itself.
Conversely, a handful of Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins and Todd Young, have expressed concern. Collins voted with Democrats to halt the war, stating the 60-day deadline is "not a suggestion, it is a requirement."
Defense Secretary's Stance
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued that the current ceasefire "pauses or stops" the 60-day clock, even as the U.S. Navy maintains a blockade to prevent Iranian oil tankers from reaching the sea.
The assertion of presidential power follows two months of conflict that began without a formal declaration of war. President Trump echoed past administrations in his critique of the War Powers Resolution, stating as he departed for Florida, "Every other president considered it totally unconstitutional, and we agree with that."
