Progressive New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has made an unexpected political move by joining forces with Republican Congressman Thomas Massie to prevent President Donald Trump from potentially taking military action against Iran without congressional approval.
According to Daily Mail, Ocasio-Cortez responded to Massie's social media post on Monday evening, agreeing to "sign on" to his bipartisan War Powers Resolution aimed at restricting presidential military authority.
The unlikely alliance comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with Trump unexpectedly leaving the G7 summit in Canada for an "early" meeting in the White House Situation Room. This development has raised concerns about potential U.S. military involvement as Israel continues airstrikes against Iranian targets.
The lawmakers' resolution invokes a Vietnam-era law requiring presidents to withdraw troops 60 days after deployment if military operations lack congressional authorization.
"This is not our war," Massie stated on social media platform X. "But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution." His resolution aims to force a congressional vote on whether the U.S. should engage militarily with Iran.
The Constitution explicitly limits presidential war powers, requiring congressional approval for formal declarations of war - a provision both lawmakers cite as justification for their bipartisan effort to potentially restrain Trump's military options.
Israeli officials have reportedly asked Trump to assist with a "bunker buster" bombing campaign against Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, particularly the Fordow site.
According to military analysts, Israel claims that only U.S.-made 30,000-pound bombs delivered by American aircraft can effectively destroy Iran's mountainous nuclear facilities. This specific request puts Trump in a difficult position regarding direct military involvement.
The timing coincides with Trump's urgent warning to Tehran residents to "evacuate" amid intensifying Israeli military actions. Israeli forces have reportedly killed Iranian negotiators, military leaders, and nuclear scientists in recent strikes, significantly escalating regional tensions.
Several prominent Democratic senators have also voiced opposition to potential military action, creating a multi-front challenge to presidential war authority.
Senators Bernie Sanders and Tim Kaine have made public statements against U.S. involvement. Kaine stated, "It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States. I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict."
Sanders went further, claiming Israel deliberately timed its attacks to derail ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. This accusation adds another layer of complexity to the already tense diplomatic situation.
The brewing conflict between Congress and the White House highlights longstanding tensions over war powers that have surfaced during previous administrations.
Legal precedent suggests Trump might still find ways to conduct limited military operations despite congressional opposition. During the Obama administration, U.S. operations in Libya continued despite similar war powers concerns, with officials arguing that "sustained hostilities" hadn't occurred - therefore avoiding the 60-day withdrawal requirement.
Congressional action to limit Trump's commander-in-chief powers would likely face significant legal challenges, regardless of bipartisan support. The House of Representatives is currently in recess, while the Senate is focused on Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act, further complicating the timing of any formal resistance.
