White House Navigates Iran Crisis While Congress Stands Ground

The U. S. military clock is ticking. Under the War Powers Resolution, a president can act for 60 days before Congress must sign off on continued fighting. That deadline falls today, yet Washington argues the “hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated, ” even as a naval blockade still blocks Iranian ports. A Defense Secretary echoed this claim in a Senate hearing, saying the ceasefire pauses the 60‑day count. House Speaker Mike Johnson has avoided answering questions about the deadline, insisting “we are not at war. ” He also warned against rushing into negotiations during sensitive talks. A glimmer of bipartisan pressure appeared when Senator Susan Collins joined Democrats in a failed motion to halt U. S. operations until Congress approved them. Her vote may reflect her upcoming re‑election battle.Meanwhile, President Trump faces questions about his options in the Strait of Hormuz. He mused whether to “blast them out” or seek a deal, revealing the administration’s uncertainty. Domestic fallout is sharp. Gas prices hit $4. 39 a gallon, the highest since war times, while stock markets recover from earlier gains. Public opinion polls show 61% of adults think the war was a mistake, and only 36% see it as right. These tensions will be on the agenda for Sunday’s “Meet the Press, ” where Sen. Adam Schiff and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will discuss the failed vote to stop the war. The article also touches on redistricting battles in several states, but the focus remains on how Washington is trying to sidestep Congress amid mounting pressure over Iran.