As the war with Iran approaches its sixth week, Democratic congressmembers have attempted another effort to check President Donald Trump’s executive power as Commander-in-Chief.
According to a report from USA Today, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives deterred congressional Democrats from “considering a measure to halt military hostilities in the region.”
Congress is currently on a scheduled spring recess, with both chambers scheduled to return on Apr. 14, 2026.
Despite the recess, the House is officially in a pro forma session as of Apr. 9, 2026, to manage the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) impasse.
USA Today reports that Democratic representatives planned to offer a war powers resolution within the session.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) reportedly refused to recognize the Democrats as they attempted to propose the measure, adjourning the House’s session as Democratic officials protested.
Prior Efforts to Limit Executive Powers
At the beginning of the conflict, the U.S. Senate also failed to advance a War Powers Resolution in a 47-53 vote. During the vote, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to vote in favor, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) being the only Democrat to vote against the measure.
Reactions to President Trump's Threats to Iran
Congress’s second attempt to limit President Trump’s power comes amid a string of threats the Commander-in-Chief published on social media that began on Easter weekend.
President Trump urged Iran to “Open the F***ing Strait” or “you’ll be living in Hell,” before issuing a stark warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”
President Trump’s remarks prompted backlash from several federal officials and former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a former ally of the president.
“This is a threat of genocide and merits removal from office. The President’s mental faculties are collapsing and cannot be trusted,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) wrote in response.
“25TH AMENDMENT!!! Not a single bomb has dropped on America. We cannot kill an entire civilization. This is evil and madness,” Green wrote.
