Cantwell Statement on Her “Yes” Vote To Establish Congressional Authority Over Military Action in Iran

Cantwell Statement on Her "Yes" Vote To Establish Congressional Authority Over Military Action in Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the United States Senate voted 47-53 against a resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who cosponsored the resolution and voted in favor of passage, gave the following statement:

"The President doesn't believe he is subject to constraints, but the Constitution and the law require Congressional approval for any broad-based military action.

"Today's vote is the first vote in holding the President accountable to those constraints and doing our duty under the Constitution, which says clearly that only Congress can declare war.

"The President has taken broad military action in Iran, taking out government leaders, bombing key military targets, and trying to destroy Iran's ballistic missile arsenal.

"While deterring dangerous regimes from developing nuclear weapons is a critical mission, this effort has gone far beyond key strikes on timely, urgent targets.

"That is why the President must come to Congress if he wants broad military authority.

"Under the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, Congress has the power to declare war, while the President, as Commander in Chief, may only use military force without prior congressional approval to repel sudden attacks and respond to clear imminent threats.

"Americans want to know the plan. With our economy in turbulence and working people wanting us to focus on their immediate economic needs and combatting inflation, it is hard to argue that an expensive, risky, and disruptive military venture in the Middle East is the right action to take now.

"Today's vote is important for reaffirming our belief that any broad military engagement that risks loss of life and treasure must be approved by Congress.

"Instead, we should focus on tougher sanctions and a vigorous inspection regime to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

"The American people deserve to know where Congress stands. The Constitution puts constraints on the President. My colleagues on the other side of aisle should help rein in the President when he continues to ignore those constitutional constraints, including on tariffs, free speech, voting rights and now war powers. They should not just give the President a free hand."

Yesterday, all U.S. Senators received a briefing on ongoing U.S. military strikes in Iran from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine. Shortly after the briefing, Sen. Cantwell said: "After the briefing today, my position remains unchanged and I will vote for the War Powers Resolution Act tomorrow."

On Feb. 28, soon after the Trump Administration ordered the strikes, Sen. Cantwell issued a statement:

"The President should not have initiated a large-scale attack on Iran without Congressional approval, the support of key allies around the world, or having made his case to the American people.

"The Iranian government is by every definition an enemy of the United States, but the enduring solution is to leverage strong bipartisan support for tougher sanctions and rebuilding the international coalition of allies and partners forged to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon by having a vigorous inspection regime like the one under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"Congress must demand that the President seek our Constitutionally required approval if he intends to engage in a protracted conflict. He must also send his military and civilian leadership team before the people's representatives in the House and the Senate to explain where we are and where he is taking us. Adherence to the Constitution, transparency, reason, and deliberation, guided by American values and interests, should determine what we do next."

On March 1, she issued a statement in response to the news that three U.S. service members had been killed in the conflict: "My heart goes out to the families of the servicemembers killed and injured. Our troops valiantly put their lives on the line for the nation, every one of them a hero. The Trump Administration must come before Congress."

On March 2, she cosponsored a resolution led by U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) to direct the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.

In June 2025, shortly after the United States bombed alleged nuclear sites in Iran, Sen. Cantwell voted in support of another War Powers Resolution that ultimately failed 47-53.