Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) are set to address reporters Thursday morning as Democrats gear up for yet another procedural showdown over U.S. military engagement in Iran. The press conference, scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT, comes ahead of the party's sixth attempt to pass a war powers resolution aimed at reining in the Trump administration's use of force in the region.
Thursday's vote marks the latest in a series of Democratic efforts to invoke the War Powers Act, which requires congressional authorization for sustained military operations. The conflict is approaching a critical 60-day milestone under the law, a point that some Republicans have hinted could shift their stance on continued operations in the Middle East.
In a statement released ahead of the event, Schumer lambasted the administration's approach. "Donald Trump and his administration are endangering the lives of servicemembers and spending billions on an illegal war that is not supported by the majority of Americans," he said. The New York Democrat emphasized the urgency of the 60-day mark, adding, "The 60-day milestone underscores the pressing need to pass our War Powers Resolution to withdraw forces from this war, but to be clear – Congress should have acted weeks ago."
Schumer also directed sharp criticism at Senate Republicans, urging them to break ranks. "Senate Republicans must finally stand up for American families and hold Trump accountable," he said. The resolution has previously failed to advance due to GOP opposition, but Democrats hope the ticking clock and shifting political dynamics might pressure some Republicans to reconsider. This push comes amid broader Democratic efforts to challenge Trump's foreign policy, including recent attacks on GOP affordability plans and a Fox News poll showing Democrats leading on economic trust for the first time since 2010.
The War Powers Act, enacted in 1973 over President Nixon's veto, requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to conflict and limits engagement to 60 days without congressional authorization, with a 30-day withdrawal period. Supporters argue the administration's actions in Iran lack proper approval, while opponents contend the resolution would hamstring military flexibility. The vote also occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with U.S. forces engaged in operations that have drawn criticism from both parties. Some Republicans have privately expressed unease about the lack of a clear congressional mandate, though public support for the administration remains strong among the GOP base.
Democrats are framing the vote as a test of accountability, arguing that continued operations without a vote violate constitutional war powers. The resolution would direct the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran unless Congress declares war or authorizes the mission. Thursday's press conference is expected to feature additional remarks from Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee and has been a vocal critic of Trump's Iran policy. The event will be livestreamed, allowing viewers to watch the Democrats' latest push in real time.
