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US Congress
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US Congress

The bicameral federal legislature authorising US war powers, spending, and domestic policy.

On 28 April, US Congress still had no Iran war authorisation as the War Powers Resolution Deadline neared on 1 May, leaving its formal role in the conflict unresolved.

Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 5 active topics

Key Question

With the Iran war unfunded and the NASA budget slashed, can Congress reassert constitutional authority on anything in 2026?

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Background

US Congress is the United States' bicameral federal legislature. The House of Representatives and Senate make federal law, authorise appropriations and exercise constitutional powers over war. Their separate chambers create two routes for representation, scrutiny and legislative agreement.

Its importance rests on converting political conflict into binding measures. Congress can authorise or restrict public spending, establish national rules and oversee executive action. Those powers make it the forum where military commitments and domestic priorities can acquire democratic authority.

In 2026, that role was tested by the Iran conflict. The House blocked an Iran War Powers Resolution by 213 votes to 214 on 16 April, then Congress still had no filed authorisation shortly before the statutory deadline.

Key Issues
Iran war powers

Congress leaves Iran war unauthorised

On 10 April, US Congress faced an Iran war supplemental cut from $200bn to an expected $80bn to $100bn, with no formal authorisation after 42 days of operations. For the legislature, the pairing tested both its spending power and its war-power role: whether either chamber could place a binding instrument before the executive.

That test produced no authorising bill by 28 April. Senator Lisa Murkowski had missed her own target for filing one, while the War Powers Resolution Deadline fell on 1 May. The failure matters specifically to Congress because its constitutional authority operates through legislation and votes, rather than public positions alone.

Common Questions

Congress lacks Iran war authority

Has Congress authorised the Iran war?
No. Trump launched Iran strikes without Congressional authorisation. Both chambers drafted war powers resolutions; The House version failed 213-214 on 16 April 2026. Senate Republicans blocked every vote. No supplemental funding bill has been submitted.Source: Lowdown

Reference

What is the Biosecurity Modernisation and Innovation Act?
S.3741, introduced in January 2026, would require gene-synthesis providers to screen orders against a federal list of dangerous sequences before filling them. As of June 2026 it remains pending, with no country anywhere mandating such screening.Source: US Congress / Biosecurity Modernisation and Innovation Act
How much has Congress been asked to spend on the Iran war?
The Pentagon has sought up to $200 billion in supplemental appropriations. The White House has not submitted a formal request, leaving war expenditure running without a congressional appropriation bill as of June 2026.Source: Pentagon / Senate Appropriations Subcommittee
Why has Congress not authorised the Iran war?
Trump launched strikes on Iran without seeking congressional authorisation. Both chambers drafted War Powers Resolutions but Senate Republicans blocked every floor vote, and The House vote failed 213-214 on 16 April 2026.Source: Congressional record / House floor vote
Did Congress pass the AI data centre moratorium bill?
No. The federal AI Data Centre Moratorium Act was introduced by Sanders and AOC on 25 March 2026 but was killed by the Democratic caucus — Fetterman called it 'China First' and Warner called it 'idiocy'. It has no PATH through the Republican-controlled Congress.Source: Lowdown
What happened when Russian politicians visited the US Congress in 2026?
A sanctioned Russian State Duma delegation visited Congress on 26 March, invited by Rep Anna Paulina Luna with State Department authorisation. All delegation members were under EU sanctions, provoking bipartisan criticism.Source: Congressional record
What is the War Powers Resolution and does it apply to Iran?
The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing forces and limits operations to 60 days without authorisation. The clock tied to Iran hostilities from 28 February 2026 expired around 1 May; Congress was not authorised.Source: Lowdown
Source Material
United States Congress — WikipediaUS Congress official website