“I ran the nation’s first anti-Iraq war primary for Congress in 2003. No president should be able to bypass Congress and drag America into another costly and disastrous conflict. Rep. Massie and I also led the Yemen War Powers Resolution. We have worked together on these issues for a decade, and he is a true leader on this issue,” Khanna told the Washington Examiner.

The United States has provided defensive support to Israel so far, but Trump said Sunday that it could get more “involved.” Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early due to the Israel-Iran conflict and convened a meeting at the White House on Tuesday with his National Security Council.

Israel views Iran’s advancing nuclear weapons capabilities as an existential threat and launched military strikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday, killing top generals and destroying infrastructure.

The U.S. and Iran were engaged in diplomatic talks to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, but the attack canceled them. Iran responded with over 100 ballistic missiles in a retaliatory attack. The U.S. is assisting Israel in shooting down incoming missiles.

The Iran War Powers Resolution specifies that the Constitution grants the power to declare war to Congress, as Democrats have been calling for a de-escalation in the Middle East.

“Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran,” the resolution says.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and other congressional leaders have urged Trump to “avoid any situation where U.S. troops are put in harm’s way.” 

“This is not our war,” Massie said on X. ”But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.”

Khanna responded to Massie’s original post, showing his support and calling on members to “go on record.” 

“No war in Iran,” Khanna said. “It’s time for every member to go on record. Are you with the neocons who led us into Iraq or do you stand with the American people?”

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced his own version of the resolution in the upper chamber on Monday, which requires congressional debate and a vote before the U.S. takes any offensive measures against Iran. Kaine introduced a similar resolution in 2020 regarding Iran that eight GOP senators backed.

“It is not in our national security interest to get into a war with Iran unless that war is absolutely necessary to defend the United States,” Kaine said in a statement. “I am deeply concerned that the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran could quickly pull the United States into another endless conflict.”

Many Republicans are not convinced this is the right course of action yet. 

“While I’m opposed to America’s involvement in foreign wars and regime change, I do not see a need to sign on to Rep. Massie’s war powers resolution yet as we are not attacking Iran,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) told the Washington Examiner. 

“I trust President Trump will deliver his campaign promises and turn this dangerous conflict between Israel and Iran into peace without war. If the situation changes, then I may sign on. We’ll see what happens,” she continued.

Some see it as “premature” since Trump has not directed the military to attack Iran as of now. 

“We haven’t conducted any combat operations yet, so it’s premature to demand a War Powers Resolution Act. This has been an Israeli-only operation thus far,” Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) told the Washington Examiner. “I believe the President should comply with the law if America enters the conflict. But there should be zero doubt that it is in our national interest that Iran does not build a nuclear weapon.”

Vice President JD Vance argued that only Trump has the power to take further action.

“He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment,” Vance said on X. “That decision ultimately belongs to the president.”

The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war in Article I, Section 8, Clause 11. This allows Congress to formally declare war, but gives the president authority to direct the military. The last time Congress declared war was in 1942 during World War II.

“Central among these powers is Clause 11 of Article I, Section 8, which authorizes Congress to declare war,” the Constitution says. 

“It should be in the interest of Republicans and Democrats to uphold the Constitution and prevent Israel from dragging us into a disastrous war with Iran,” Demand Progress Senior Policy Adviser Cavan Kharrazian said in a statement. 

“The American people, including a clear majority of Republican voters, believe the president must obtain congressional authorization before initiating strikes against another country,” Kharrazian continued.

The War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973 in response to former President Richard Nixon’s overreach in the Vietnam War. He vetoed the bill, but with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, Congress was able to override the veto. 

The resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of introducing troops into hostilities. It allows them to be deployed for a maximum of 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension, without congressional approval. Congress has the power to end this deployment through a joint resolution. 

ASSASSINATION OF MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT LEAVES CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS WORRIED OVER SAFETY

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) canceled his trip to deliver a speech before the Knesset in Israel this weekend due to the war between the Jewish state and Iran, but said he hopes to reschedule. 

“Due to the complex situation currently unfolding in Iran and Israel, Speaker Ohana and I have made the decision to postpone the special session of the Knesset,” Johnson said Monday. “We look forward to rescheduling the address in the near future and send our prayers to the people of Israel and the Middle East.”

David Sivak contributed to this article.