Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
Despite support from Republican leaders in both chambers for Trump’s recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, efforts to reassert congressional war powers face long odds. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson were briefed before the strikes, but many lawmakers were not.
Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, plans to force a Senate vote this week on a measure requiring Trump to end hostilities unless Congress declares war. In the House, Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna are pushing for similar legislation.
"This is the U.S. jumping into a war of choice at Donald Trump’s urging, without any compelling national security interest... without a debate and vote in Congress," Kaine said on CBS' "Face the Nation".
Trump’s actions have exposed divisions within his own party. Massie, a member of the pro-Trump MAGA wing, criticised the president’s decision, arguing there was no imminent threat justifying unilateral military action.
"There was no imminent threat to the United States," Massie said. "We haven’t been briefed."
Intelligence remains divided over Iran’s nuclear intentions. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Iran could build a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks or months if it chose to. However, U.S. officials maintain that no decision has been made by Tehran to produce a bomb. Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
Trump responded to Massie’s criticism by pledging to support his primary challenger in 2026. "MAGA is not about lazy, grandstanding, nonproductive politicians," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Other Trump allies are also speaking out. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced concern about the strikes, saying the U.S. should not get involved in what she called a "hot war that Israel started", while maintaining her broader support for Trump.
Senator Lindsey Graham defended the president’s constitutional authority, saying, "If you don’t like what the president does in terms of war, you can cut off the funding."
Most Republicans praised the attacks, with Speaker Johnson stating that Trump acted on "imminent danger" that couldn’t wait for congressional approval.
Democrats warned the mission’s success was unclear and that U.S. actions could have long-term consequences. "We triumphantly declare the mission is accomplished the day after, and then we’re left with Americans bearing the consequences for decades," said Khanna.
Members of Congress are expected to receive a full briefing on the operation on Tuesday.
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The United States has moved to close a regulatory gap that may have allowed advanced AI chips to reach Chinese-linked firms overseas despite export restrictions.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly agreed an outline deal to extend their fragile ceasefire for 60 days, although the agreement still requires President Donald Trump’s approval and previous breakthroughs have failed to hold.
Senior U.S. State Department officials spent three days in Georgia meeting ministers, opposition figures and Church leaders as Washington intensifies its strategic engagement across the South Caucasus.
Australia has launched legal action against U.S. chemicals giant 3M, seeking more than $1.4 billion over contamination linked to firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals, widely known as “forever chemicals”.
U.S. rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, performed to a crowd of 118,000 people in Istanbul on Saturday night, marking his first concert in Europe in more than a decade, despite being barred from performing in several countries over past antisemitic remarks.
Iranian-made Yassin missiles were spotted mounted on Armenian Air Force fighter aircraft during Armenia's latest military parade on Thursday (28 May), drawing attention from defence observers and regional analysts.
The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).
Thai rescuers say five people have been pulled alive from a flooded cave in remote Laos, where seven villagers became trapped after heavy rain cut off access underground.
Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations, citing Yerevan's growing rapprochement with the European Union. The move is seen as the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the longtime allies ahead of Armenia's parliamentary election on 7 June.
Ukrainian drones struck targets across several Russian regions overnight, including an oil pipeline pumping station, a refinery and a fuel depot, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 1 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States has moved to close a regulatory gap that may have allowed advanced AI chips to reach Chinese-linked firms overseas despite export restrictions.
Colombian right-wing outsider Abelardo De La Espriella is set to face leftist senator Iván Cepeda in a presidential runoff, according to Colombia’s National Registry Office data released on Sunday.
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela has secured a fourth successive election victory for his Labour Party, extending its hold on power, though with a reduced majority compared with previous polls.
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