NEWS: Sen. Schiff Files New War Powers Resolution After Collapse of U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

Schiff: "Any assertion by the Trump administration that he gets 60 more days to act without Congress has no foundation in law."

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) filed a new War Powers Resolution after the United States resumed large-scale military strikes against Iran and President Donald Trump announced his intention to blockade Iran and institute a fee on all cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz.

"The events of the last week prove why Congress must reassert its war powers authority. We were promised the war would be over for months. And now in a matter of days we've gone from a bad U.S.-Iran deal to more strikes, another blockade, and added turmoil that will only drive prices higher. Any assertion by the Trump administration that he gets 60 more days to act without Congress has no foundation in law. By forcing a new vote to end this war, we make it clear that Congress insists on the removal of troops from the region barring an authorization of force accompanied by a truly viable strategy - both of which have been lacking," said Senator Schiff.

The new resolution explicitly rejects the President's assertion that the 60-day clock under the War Powers Act ever stopped, as the U.S. Armed Forces continued to exert military force throughout the ceasefire.

The resolution is privileged under Senate Rules, allowing Schiff to motion for consideration of the measure on the Senate Floor as soon as next week. The resolution would direct the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran.

The resolution was co-sponsored by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

Background: Senator Schiff has worked with Senator Kaine, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and other colleagues to force numerous votes in the Senate on the War Powers Resolution, including asserting the 60-day statutory clock, triggered by the President's March 2, 2026, notification to Congress, had run out on the President's ongoing use of military force, in addition to being unconstitutional from the start.

Both houses of Congress previously voted to object to the continued conflict, passing a House Concurrent Resolution last month.

Schiff led 37 Senate Democrats in refuting the Trump administration's claim in a May 1 letter to Congress that the hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, in Iran have "terminated" and requested President Trump release the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) opinion supporting this claim.

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