Military Action Against Iran: Congressional Response

In light of potential new U.S. military action against Iran, Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Congressman Thomas Massey (R-Ky.) are urging Congress to pass a bill that would require the president to halt any unauthorized military actions towards the Islamic Republic.

Khanna stated, “Trump officials estimate there’s a 90% likelihood of an attack on Iran. However, we cannot proceed without Congress’s approval. @RepThomasMassie and I are working on a War Powers Resolution that mandates a discussion and a vote regarding military action before jeopardizing U.S. troops. I plan to initiate a discharge motion next week to ensure a vote happens.” He shared this message during an announcement on Wednesday.

Massey echoed Khanna’s sentiments, remarking that Congress needs to hold a vote on military action according to constitutional law. He added, “We will ensure that this vote takes place in the House as quickly as possible. I intend to prioritize American interests, which entails resisting any further involvement in conflicts in the Middle East.”

Former lawmakers, including MTG, have expressed that the American public is not in favor of war with Iran.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is pressing for negotiations with Iran to encourage it to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Following talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, Trump mentioned on Truth Social, “I insisted on pursuing negotiations with Iran in hopes of reaching an agreement. If we manage to finalize a deal, it will be prioritized. If not, well, we’ll see how things unfold.”

Referencing an earlier U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump cautioned, “Previously, Iran opted not to engage in negotiations and faced consequences. I sincerely hope they make more reasonable choices this time around.”

Reports indicate that a Trump advisor mentioned, “The president is frustrated. While some around him have advised against going to war with Iran, there is still a strong belief—about 90%—that we might witness military actions soon.”

When questioned about whether the Trump administration would notify Congress prior to any military action against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured that diplomacy is the current focus. “We commit to adhering to the law regarding congressional involvement in military decisions,” he said during a press conference.

Massey first introduced the Iran-related legislation in June 2025, and Khanna, among others, is listed as one of its original co-sponsors. Khanna noted he would use a discharge motion to push the bill forward.

Additionally, the text of the bill specifies: “According to Section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, Congress directs the President to cease the use of U.S. military forces in hostilities against Iran, specifically without proper authorization through a declaration of war or specific military action approval.” Khanna emphasized that the War Powers Resolution, enacted despite Nixon’s veto, allows Congress to weigh in on war decisions and reflects the American people’s consensus before the president acts unilaterally.