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Massie and Khanna introduce war powers resolution to block Iran conflict

Unusual bipartisan alliance attempts to block presidential war without approval·June 17, 2025

On June 17, 2025, Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna introduced a bipartisan war powers resolution to prevent Trump from involving the U.S. in the Israel-Iran conflict without congressional approval. This unusual alliance between a libertarian Republican and progressive Democrat reflects growing concern about presidential war powers.

Key facts

On June 17, 2025, Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced H.Con.Res.38, a bipartisan war powers resolution directing President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities against Iran.

The resolution invokes Section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 (50 U.S.C. 1544), which requires the President to withdraw forces unless Congress authorizes continued military action within 60-90 days.

The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war under Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, while the President serves as Commander-in-Chief under Article II, Section 2.

The resolution had 16 original co-sponsors on June 17, 2025, including Representatives Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Tlaib (D-MI), Jayapal (D-WA), Omar (D-MN), Pressley (D-MA), and McGovern (D-MA), and grew to 76 co-sponsors by late June.

On June 27, 2025, the Senate rejected Senator Tim Kaine's companion resolution (S.J.Res.59) by a vote of 47-53, with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) the only Republican voting in favor and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) the only Democrat voting against.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to assure Representative Khanna that the U.S. would not launch military strikes on Iran, stating 'Bibi Netanyahu is going to put his country first and we're going to put our country first.'

On June 22, 2025, the U.S. conducted 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' striking three Iranian nuclear sites including the underground Fordow facility, without prior congressional authorization or notification to Democratic leaders.

Brown University's Costs of War Project estimates the total cost of post-9/11 wars at $8 trillion, with Iraq/Syria operations costing $2.1 trillion and Afghanistan/Pakistan costing $2.3 trillion.

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect on June 24, 2025, leading Massie and Khanna to adopt a 'wait-and-see approach' on pushing the resolution forward, though they kept it available if hostilities resumed.