Curtis Statement Ahead of 60th Day of Iran Conflict

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement ahead of the 60-day mark of the war in Iran:
“From the beginning, my position has been that the President’s actions in Iran have been consistent with his legal authority under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. However, that same law is clear that after 60 days, military action must begin to wind down unless Congress provides formal authorization.
“I take this requirement seriously for two reasons. First, the Constitution deliberately provides power to Congress to authorize war. Second, the legacy of the Vietnam War serves as a permanent reminder of the devastation that occurs when the lines of authority are blurred or ignored. That is why I have been clear: I will not support continued funding for the use of force without Congress weighing in. This is not an adversarial stance against the Administration; rather, it is a commitment to our system of government. It is critical to our national security that Iran’s malign capabilities are neutralized, but it is equally critical that we do so on a sound constitutional footing.
“As we reach this 60-day mark, it is time for decision-making from both the Administration and from Congress—and that can happen in league with one another, not in conflict. I am currently engaged in thoughtful discussions with my Senate colleagues, and also with the Administration, on a path forward that honors our respective constitutional roles, clearly outlines objectives and guidelines, and is in the best interest of the country and our servicemembers.”
Background:
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 intended to limit a president’s ability to engage in military action without congressional approval. It requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying armed forces and prohibits forces from remaining in combat for more than 60 days (with a possible additional 30-day withdrawal period) without authorization from Congress.
In an April opinion piece published in the Deseret News , Senator Curtis stated he would not support ongoing military action beyond a 60-day window without congressional approval.