Constitutionally, only Congress has the power to declare war.
The United States Constitution grants Congress the exclusive power to declare war in Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, which explicitly states that “The Congress shall have Power… To declare War”. This clause was designed by the Framers to limit the executive branch’s power by requiring legislative approval for initiating formal armed conflicts.
Here we are today.
Key Findings (as of April 2026):
- Failed Restrictions: On April 15, 2026, the Senate voted 53-47 to block a war powers resolution that would have required President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran, unless Congress authorized them.
- Background: This vote was part of a series of efforts to compel Congress to vote on the ongoing US-Iran conflict that began in February 2026.
- Constitutional Context: The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires a president to terminate unauthorized hostilities within 60 to 90 days. The recent failed Senate rKey Details of the Vote
- The Goal: The resolution, led by Senator Tammy Duckworth, aimed to force the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly issued a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force (AUMF).
- The Outcome: Republicans largely blocked the measure, effectively allowing the president to continue the military campaign without new authorization from Congress.
- Party Lines: The vote was almost entirely partisan. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to support the measure, while Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to vote against it.
- The 60-Day Deadline: Lawmakers are closely watching a statutory deadline under the 1973 War Powers Act, which requires presidents to stop unauthorized hostilities after 60 days. The current conflict is approaching that mark.
This war is a war of pride. It was begun illegally. It will not end well if it continues.
The United States has assumed it could do what it wanted, say what it wanted about what it did, and get the outcome it wanted no matter what. That illusion is ending.
Things did not go as expected.
Then the expectation was that with enough bombing the war would end. More bombs will not end the war.
Iran has said that it will respond in kind.
While the United States repeatedly lied and changed its story, Iran has kept true to its words. Iran will do what it has promised. Iran is willing to undergo whatever level of suffering is required to not be a vassal that is bullied by the United States.
While a lot of stuff has been blown up, blowing up more will not end the war. And, there have been a lot of war crimes in what the United States has blown up for which it will be held accountable.
It will take humility to admit that this was a war of pride begun illegally.
The results for this illegal operation have not been good. It has made things abundantly worse for the world overall.
It will take humility to admit the war should never have been initiated by the United States. The outcomes have been the opposite of what has been expected.
Doubling down will not bring peace. Lies and deception will not bring peace.
Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.