President Donald Trump told congressional leaders that U.S. hostilities with Iran have ended, citing a ceasefire that began in early April.
The White House said the ceasefire means the administration does not need new congressional authorization for the military operation, even as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution arrived this week.
The law generally requires a president to get approval from Congress or withdraw U.S. forces after 60 days of hostilities. Trump argued that the clock no longer applies because active fighting has stopped. He also questioned the constitutionality of the law.
Democrats rejected that position, saying Congress has not authorized the operation and should have a formal role in deciding whether U.S. forces remain involved. Some lawmakers also pointed to the continued presence of American forces in the region.
The dispute keeps attention on a long-running constitutional question: how much power a president has to conduct military action without Congress.
