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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald Trump doesn’t need congressional approval to restart strikes on Iran despite surpassing the 60-day limit allowed under federal law.
Hegseth’s testimony Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee came after the Trump administration surpassed the 60-day mark required by the War Powers Resolution of 1973 to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force. The administration said earlier in May that hostilities had ceased with Iran, so it was not seeking authorization.
Hegseth, however, said under questioning from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, that Trump would have the authority to restart strikes if he deemed it necessary.
“Should the president make the decision to recommence, we would have all of the authorities necessary to do so,” Hegseth said.
