President Donald Trump leaves following a press conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 6, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
The push within Congress to force an end to President Donald Trump's spiraling war with Iran may be nearing a "breakthrough," according to lawmakers who spoke with The Hill.
Trump has undertaken all of his second-term military actions without the congressional approval needed to declare a war. The administration has attempted to argue that none of these conflicts or strikes, so far, have met the actual definition of a "war," but the increasingly fraught conflict with Iran is straining that spin to a breaking point.
Democrats have been launching numerous failed attempts to strip Trump of his ability to wage the conflict with Iran via a war powers resolution, with Republicans being largely unwilling to break with the White House. That status quo, however, now seems to be shifting, as more and more GOP lawmakers grow frustrated with Trump's handling of the situation.
On Monday, The Hill reported that the numbers could soon line up in the Democrats' favor as they continue to launch war powers votes. Rep. Jared Golden, a Maine Democrat, was previously the only liberal in the chamber to vote against the resolutions, but indicated that he would vote in favor of the next one, as "he only opposed the last measure because it had a withdrawal deadline that had already passed."
The ongoing case of absentee lawmakers in the House is also becoming a factor.
"Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) could return to Congress after being absent for four weeks and not voting on any issue since April 17. Wilson released a statement Thursday that she recently underwent eye surgery and was unable to fly, but plans to be back in Washington, D.C., soon," The Hill's report explained. "With Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) also absent since March 5 because of a “personal medical issue,” Republicans can’t have more than two defections on an otherwise party-line vote."
Democrats also believe that brewing frustrations voiced by GOP lawmakers could tip things in their favor in the next Senate vote. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Alaska Republican, was the latest to join with most Senate Democrats in the latest vote.
"The next such vote could swing in the Democrats’ favor should any one of the several Republicans who have voiced concerns about the need for Congress to authorize military action beyond 60 days switch their vote," The Hill added.
"We know what our colleagues are hearing,” Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, said before a recent vote on Wednesday. “We’re starting to hear doubt creep into their words.”
The report noted that GOP Sens. John Curtis of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana are among the recent no-votes whose comments make them seem likely to flip against Trump in future votes.