U.S. Senate Passes Resolution to Limit President's Military Action Against Iran

According to a report by Reference News Network on May 22, Agence France-Presse reported on May 19 that the U.S. Senate introduced a resolution on the 19th that is largely symbolic but carries significant political weight, aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's authority to wage war against Iran. Currently, concerns are growing over the rising costs and uncertain prospects of U.S.-Iran conflict.

This move marks a rare wartime condemnation of the current Commander-in-Chief. The resolution passed a key procedural vote—this is the first time Congress has proposed legislation aimed at restricting Trump's military actions against Iran since the start of the Iran War.

The resolution invokes the War Powers Act of 1973, requiring the government to terminate military actions against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The legislative intent of this act is to constrain long-term military actions initiated without congressional approval.

However, the resolution still needs to pass a final vote. Even if it clears the Senate, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives will pose a significant obstacle, as the House has previously rejected similar proposals multiple times. Moreover, once the resolution is sent to the White House, Trump is almost certain to exercise his veto power.

Nevertheless, this vote indicates that as the conflict enters its third month, unease within Trump's party is continuing to rise. The war has put pressure on U.S. weapon stockpiles and raised questions about readiness, with the official estimated total cost of the war having already surpassed $30 billion.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated before the vote: “This president is like a child playing with a loaded handgun.”

“If there is a moment to support our war powers resolution and withdraw from hostile actions against Iran, it is now.”

According to a report by the German newspaper Welt on May 20, on the 19th, the U.S. Senate passed a procedural vote with 50 votes in favor and 47 against, advancing a resolution aimed at limiting Trump's authority in the Iran War.

Four Republicans voted in favor, while one Democrat voted against. Although the resolution is still far from taking effect, it is seen as a rare condemnation of the president after 80 days of attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran.

The background of this resolution is a law passed in 1973. Under this law, the U.S. president cannot engage in military actions for more than 60 days without seeking congressional authorization or terminating the action.

Trump's 60-day deadline for military action against Iran expired on May 1. Although Iran and the U.S. reached a ceasefire agreement in early April, the U.S. continues to blockade Iranian ports and attack ships, while Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz and attacked U.S. vessels.

Democrats and some Republicans insist that, according to the Constitution, the power to declare war lies with Congress, not the president. Meanwhile, Republicans and the White House argue that Trump, as Commander-in-Chief, has the authority to take limited military actions to protect the United States. (Translated by Xu Yanhong and Zhong Sirui)