Democrats in the United States Congress are preparing a fresh push to curb President Donald Trump’s authority over the ongoing war with Iran, with a Senate vote expected as early as Wednesday.
Led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, lawmakers say they will continue introducing resolutions aimed at forcing the president to seek congressional approval for military action, as long as the conflict persists.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer accused Republicans of avoiding accountability and allowing the executive branch to act without proper oversight.
He argued that Congress had effectively been sidelined more than six weeks into the war.
Democrats have already attempted several times to pass similar measures, but those efforts have been blocked by Republicans, who hold narrow majorities in both chambers and have largely backed Trump’s handling of the conflict.
The latest resolution is expected to be sponsored by Senator Tammy Duckworth, a military veteran, while a parallel measure could be taken up in the House of Representatives later this week.
Party leaders say at least 10 additional war powers resolutions are being prepared, with plans to introduce them regularly in a sustained campaign to challenge the administration’s military strategy.
The renewed push comes as the war, which began in late February, continues to strain global energy markets and push up fuel and commodity prices.
Democrats are increasingly linking the conflict to rising living costs, arguing that disruptions to oil and gas supplies are contributing to inflation and hurting American households.
Rising prices have become a sensitive political issue ahead of the November midterm elections, with both parties aware of the potential impact on voters.
Republicans, however, have stood firmly behind the president.
Senate Minority Leader John Thune said the administration has a clear strategy and expressed confidence that the military campaign would not drag on.
He suggested that if the operation remains limited in scope and duration, the question of congressional authorisation may not become necessary.
Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress holds the power to declare war, but presidents can order limited military actions without prior approval, particularly in situations deemed urgent or necessary for national security.
The White House maintains that Trump’s actions fall within those legal boundaries.
The debate in Congress is unfolding alongside diplomatic developments abroad.
Trump has indicated that talks with Iran could resume soon, possibly in Pakistan, following the collapse of earlier negotiations and the imposition of a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.
With a fragile ceasefire still in place but under pressure, lawmakers in Washington are now weighing not just the military strategy, but also the broader political and economic consequences of the conflict.
As both sides dig in, the coming days are likely to test the balance of power between Congress and the presidency an issue that has resurfaced repeatedly during times of war.
