Washington’s war-powers fight flares after Iran strikes as Congress moves for a fast vote

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published March 1, 2026

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The Iran strikes have opened a second front in Washington — not overseas, but inside Congress — as lawmakers move to reassert their authority over any next step militarily.

Instead of debating the operation’s tactics first, legislators are debating the rulebook. Senator Tim Kaine is pressing for action on an Iran-focused war-powers measure, arguing the strike risks escalation and sidelines Congress in decisions of war.

In the House, Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie are also pushing for a recorded vote, framing it as a public test of whether lawmakers will endorse — or constrain — a broader campaign.

Republican leaders have largely defended the strikes as deterrence tied to Iran’s nuclear and missile-related threats, while calls for briefings are building as the dispute heads into next week. US reporting has referred to the operation as “Operation Epic Fury.”