President Trump's declaration that hostilities with Iran are "terminated" has thrown Democrats' strategy around congressional war powers into turmoil, according to Axios. The move upends a plan by House Democrats, led by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, to force a war powers vote every day.
Lawmakers involved in the war powers effort have been quietly reassessing their approach as Congress prepares to return next week, multiple aides and lawmakers told Axios. "There's a lot to happen between now and next week," one senior House progressive said.
Trump sent Congress a notification stating that "the hostilities [with Iran] that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated," citing the ceasefire he brokered on April 7. Despite this, the U.S. launched airstrikes on Iran's Qeshm port and the coastal city of Bandar Abbas on Thursday.
An American official told Axios that the administration does not see these airstrikes as restarting the war or breaking the ceasefire. This ambiguity leaves Democrats grappling with how to proceed, as the conflict's status remains legally and practically unclear.
"Who knows how many times Trump could change his position between now and then," the House progressive added, highlighting the volatile situation facing lawmakers.