Pentagon Secretary Hegseth Claims Iran Ceasefire Pauses War Powers Deadline Amid Congressional Skepticism

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress this week that the 60-day limit imposed by the 1973 War Powers Resolution does not apply because the U.S. is currently in a ceasefire with Iran. According to Hegseth, this ceasefire effectively pauses the clock requiring the president to either seek Congressional approval to continue military operations or begin withdrawing forces.

That interpretation did not sit well with Democrats, who see it as a legal dodge. Senator Tim Kaine expressed serious constitutional and statutory concerns, warning that the administration might ignore the deadline altogether. “I have grave concern, based on that answer, that the White House does not intend to honor the 60 days,” Kaine told reporters.

Senator Elizabeth Warren went further, emphasizing that the U.S. remains at war due to ongoing actions like the U.S. Navy’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which she said constitutes active engagement with Iran. “That means that right now, the United States is at war with Iran,” Warren stated, underscoring the administration’s continuing military posture.

The War Powers Resolution allows the president to conduct military strikes for 60 days, with a one-time 30-day extension, without Congressional consent. That 60-day window expires this Friday. Despite repeated attempts, the Senate has so far failed six times to advance an Iran War Powers Resolution to rein in the president’s military actions. Notably, GOP Senator Susan Collins broke ranks to vote with Democrats for the first time, signaling possible cracks in Republican support.

Hegseth defended the administration’s approach by attacking critics in Congress as “defeatists” and “reckless naysayers” who undermine military efforts. He claimed the biggest adversary in the campaign is internal dissent, singling out Democrats and some Republicans for criticism. In a particularly pointed exchange, Hegseth told Senator Richard Blumenthal that “defeatist Democrats” cloud public perception and suggested they support allowing Iran to pursue nuclear weapons.

The hearings coincided with discussions of the Pentagon’s record $1.5 trillion budget request for 2027 and the war’s financial toll, which Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst III estimated at $25 billion so far. The Pentagon also plans to seek $200 billion in supplemental funding for the Iran campaign, though Hegseth denied that figure on Thursday.

Democrats continue to challenge the administration’s justification for the war, questioning its goals and the impact on U.S. security. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand disputed claims of an imminent Iranian threat, telling Hegseth, “We did not have any evidence that Iran intended to imminently attack this country in any way, shape or form.”

Hegseth countered by pointing to Iran’s hostile rhetoric, asking, “Do you not believe them when they say ‘Death to America’?” Gillibrand responded that adversaries often use inflammatory language, but that does not necessarily translate into immediate danger.

As the War Powers deadline approaches, the administration’s refusal to fully acknowledge Congressional authority or provide clear transparency on the war’s scope and cost deepens concerns about unchecked executive power. The fight over Iran is not just on the battlefield but now squarely in the halls of Congress, where lawmakers demand accountability and clarity on a conflict that shows no sign of ending.