Senate Republicans pressed the Trump administration on how it is counting the 60-day War Powers Act deadline for the military campaign against Iran after the first strikes began on Feb. 28. [1]
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators the War Powers clock can "pause or stop" during a ceasefire, a reading some Republicans seemed willing to accept. Sen. Todd Young said, "It sounds like there's some wiggle room he provided there for himself," while Sen. Roger Wicker said he had been "not been too concerned." [1]
Democrats pushed back hard, saying a ceasefire does not end the legal clock if hostilities or blockade operations continue. Sen. Tim Kaine said, "A ceasefire means bombs aren't dropping," rejecting the argument that a pause in shooting would settle the War Powers question. [1]
The dispute echoes the 2011 fight over Libya, when lawmakers argued over what counts as "hostilities" under the War Powers Act. Sen. Josh Hawley also raised the prospect of "30 more days" in the debate over the deadline. [1]
Axios published the report on May 1. [1]