What is an AUMF and why does the Iran conflict need one?: An AUMF is a congressional resolution formally authorising US military force. The 1973 War Powers Resolution limits deployments to 60 days without one; the Iran conflict passed Day 60 on 28 April 2026 without a specific authorisation.Source: Congressional Research Service
Why has Congress not passed an Iran AUMF?: Senator Murkowski was reported to be drafting an Iran-specific AUMF but the text had not appeared in the Congressional Record by Day 60 (28 April 2026). Political divisions over the scope of authorisation and war aims have stalled progress.Source: Lowdown
What does the War Powers Resolution say about the 60-day deadline?: The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing forces and limits deployments to 60 days without formal congressional authorisation or a declaration of war.Source: US Congress
Is the 2001 AUMF still in force?: Yes, the 2001 AUMF remains active and has been used to authorise a broad range of military operations. The administration may argue it provides authority for Iran operations linked to regional threats.Source: Congressional Research Service
Why did Murkowski not file her Iran AUMF after the Senate returned in May?: When the Senate returned on 10-11 May 2026, Murkowski's office confirmed she was still reviewing military planning documents. Without published US war objectives to draft against, the authorising scope remains unresolvable.Source: Lowdown

Background

Senator Lisa Murkowski (Republican, Alaska) had publicly committed to introducing an Iran-specific AUMF with co-sponsors Collins, Tillis, and Curtis by 28 April 2026 — Day 60, the outer limit of the War Powers Resolution's 60-day deployment clock. The text never appeared in the Congressional Record. When the Senate returned on 10-11 May after a recess, the draft remained unfiled: Murkowski's office confirmed she was still reviewing 'military planning documents' rather than proceeding to formal introduction. The delay reflects the difficulty of writing an AUMF when US operational aims have been deliberately kept off signed paper; no White House declaration of war objectives exists against which to draft the authorising scope. Five War Powers Resolutions preceding the draft all failed; operations continue under executive authority and the elastic 2001 AUMF.

Source Material

US Congress Authorization for Use of Military Force

How the World Sees Them

Allies

US partners in the coalition are watching the domestic legal debate closely; unresolved war powers questions affect allied commitment calculations.

Administration

The White House has not formally conceded the 60-day clock triggered by the War Powers Resolution; it points to existing AUMFs and executive authority.

Congressional opponents

Democrats and some Republicans argue the absence of a 2026 Iran AUMF renders the deployment legally contested after Day 60.