(Updated on October 1, 2024)
– Congress works less than half the year, with the House averaging 147 legislative days annually.
– Senate members have slightly more legislative days, averaging 165 days each year since 2001.
Archiv: Gewaltenteilung / Gewaltensammlung / checks and balances / accumulation of power
Explainer: Congress backed an Iran war powers resolution. Now what?
(June 9, 2026)
However, legal experts said the issue is not settled law. No concurrent resolution under âthe 1973 war powers law had passed since the law was enacted.
„The executive branch will likely ignore it on constitutional grounds, and itâs not clear who might have âstanding to sue to enforce it,“ said Scott Anderson, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and senior editor of the online legal publication Lawfare, although he added that he expected someone âwould.
NEW: Congress just passed resolutions to block Trump from continuing the Iran War. The resolutions carry the force of law under the text of the 1973 War Powers Act. Now, @RoKhanna tells me he is working to organize lawmakers to bring an historic court case to enforce the law.
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Democratic socialists eye 2028 White House race
(June 25, 2026)
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are eyeing a 2028 presidential bid in the wake of recent electoral successes across the country.
DSA Co-chair Ashik Siddique told The Hill in a Thursday interview that the organization has more than 100,000 members and 200 chapters across the country. âWe want people to be talking proactively about what they would want to see in a presidential campaign,â he said. The organization is looking to see how voters would engage and what would motivate them, he added.
Caving to Trump âTemper Tantrum,â Two Republicans Flip to Block Iran War Powers Resolution
Two Senate Republicans who supported a previous resolution calling for an end to the US war on Iran changed their votes late Wednesday after President Donald Trump publicly and privately berated GOP lawmakers, calling them âlosersâ who provided âaid and comfort to the enemy.â
In Wednesdayâs procedural vote, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.)âwho reportedly got into a shouting match with Trump over the Iran war during a closed-door lunch hours earlierâsided with virtually every other Republican in opposing the war powers resolution, just a day after he supported a separate, symbolic resolution calling for the removal of US forces from the conflict. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also switched, changing his vote to âpresentâ at the urging of the president.
Senate rejects measure to restrict Trump‘s Iran war powers as key Republicans shift votes
Updated on: June 24, 2026 / 11:37 PM EDT / CBS News
Later in the day, however, signs emerged that some of the Senate Republicans who had previously voted to constrain Mr. Trump‘s war powers were reconsidering.
Cassidy was briefed on Iran at the White House by Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff, the senator confirmed on X, writing that the conversation „address[ed] many of my concerns.“ Cassidy voted against advancing the resolution Wednesday night.
And Paul voted present on Wednesday, despite voting in favor of the last several Iran war powers resolutions. He said on X his goal was to „give the President more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace.“
Trump has testy meeting with GOP senators, telling Cassidy at one point to sit down
Updated on: June 25, 2026 / 12:07 AM EDT / CBS News
President Trump‘s meeting with Republican senators on Wednesday turned testy, and at one point, he sternly told Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy to sit down, after questions arose about the War Powers Resolution, according to sources directly familiar with the meeting.
Trump Lashes Out at âMeaninglessâ Senate Rebuke Over Iran War
Jun 24, 2026 11:30 AM CET)
Trump claims that his war on Iran doesnât need congressional approval because a cease-fire that took effect on April 8 effectively ended it. His Administration also argues that the 1973 law is âunconstitutionalâ and that the Administration only complies with parts of it to maintain good relations with the legislative branch.
Others, however, argue that Congressâ authority over declarations of war allows for the method. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D, N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who sponsored the House war powers resolution, said in a statement that he will make sure that the Administration adheres to it: âRegardless of what President Trump says, this measure is binding under the War Powers Resolution, and I will explore all legal avenues to ensure the Executive complies with the will of Congress.â
Meeks Statement on Senate Passage of His Iran War Powers Resolution
Washington, DC — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement following the Senateâs approval of his War Powers Resolution which passed the House of Representatives earlier this month. The Senate passed the Resolution 50-48.
Having passed both chambers as a Concurrent Resolution, this measure does not go to the presidentâs desk for signature. Under the War Powers Resolution, however, it is binding on the president and directs him to cease hostilities against Iran.
âWith the Senate passage of my Iran War Powers Resolution, both chambers have now made clear that the president cannot continue this war of choice and must cease all hostilities against Iran. Regardless of what President Trump says, this measure is binding under the War Powers Resolution, and I will explore all legal avenues to ensure the Executive complies with the will of Congress.
Senate votes to limit Trumpâs Iran war powers in rare rebuke
GOP Sens. Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Bill Cassidy joined Democrats in voting for the resolution, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted against it. The final tally was 50-48. The absences of GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick, who have previously voted against advancing war powers resolutions, contributed to the measureâs adoption.
US Supreme Court: Wo Trumps Macht endet
lIn den USA ist das Gericht nicht nur eine Instanz der Kontrolle von WeiĂem Haus und Kongress, sondern wird selbst als „dritte SĂ€ule der Regierung“ bezeichnet. Seine Entscheidungen haben das Land oft nachhaltiger geprĂ€gt als PrĂ€sidenten und Abgeordnete.
Das liegt zum einen daran, dass Richter auf Lebenszeit berufen sind und deshalb keine Wahlen fĂŒrchten mĂŒssen. Zum anderen haben Entscheidungen des Supreme Courts unmittelbar Gesetzeskraft.
What‘s next for the War Powers Resolution on Iran? PolitiFact explains
If the Senate were to secure those 60 votes and pass the war powers resolution, the chambers would have to work out differences in the text of the bill between the two chambers, which might require additional votes.
If both chambers pass identical versions of a war powers resolution, the measure would still require the president‘s signature to take effect â something that seems unlikely based on Trump‘s commitment to the war so far.
If Trump vetoes it, the House and Senate could override the veto only with two-thirds votes in each chamber, which is well above the support demonstrated so far. No war powers resolution has ever overcome a veto.
Rashida Tlaib calls out Brian Mast for describing Lebanese civilians killed by Israel as terrorists
US Representative Rashida Tlaib rejected Republican representative Brian Mastâs claim that Lebanese civilians killed by Israel are âterroristsâ.
The exchange occurred on Wednesday night during a US House of Representatives session following Tlaib‘s resolution to withdraw US troops from Lebanon, which Mast called âreckless and unseriousâ.
âEleven children killed, injured every 24 hours in Lebanon. Are those children Hezbollah? Are those children terrorists?â Tlaib shot at Mast who continued to dismiss Tlaib and her call to protect civilians in Lebanon.
Track AIPAC, an American online project that tracks US political donations by organisations that are part of the Israel lobby, including Aipac, reported that Mast received $881,227 from pro-Israel PACs as of April 2026.
House blocks Rep. Rashida Tlaib‘s war powers resolution on Lebanon
The resolution, introduced by Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, directs the president to remove U.S. armed forces „from Lebanon“ within seven days of the measure‘s adoption. It failed in a 92 to 324 vote, with two voting present.
„Currently, there are no U.S. servicemembers involved in combat operations or hostilities in Lebanon,“ House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a statement before the vote.
House Dems Coming Around on Iran War â But Wonât Vote to Stop Israelâs Destruction of Lebanon
House Democrats voted unanimously on Wednesday against continuing the Iran war without congressional approval â but a day later, Democratic leaders helped defeat a similar measure aimed at Israelâs parallel war in Lebanon.
The second measure failed 324-92 Thursday afternoon, a day after passage of a war powers resolution focused on Iran sent a message to the Trump administration.
Ninety-one Democrats voted for the measure sponsored by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., to block U.S. support for Israelâs assault on Lebanon. 117 Democrats voted against.
BREAKING: We passed an Iran War Powers Resolution in the House to rein in Trump and end his unauthorized, reckless war. The Senate must immediately follow suit and act to end this war.
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House approves war powers resolution to halt military action against Iran
Wednesday‘s action defied President Donald Trump as a handful of Republicans joined with Democrats to end the three-month-long war. House Speaker Mike Johnson had tried to prevent an outcome that would show the mounting opposition to the war.
âHuge Win for the Constitutionâ as House Finally Passes Iran War Powers Resolution
Raucous applause erupted in the House of Representatives on Wednesday after US lawmakers passed a war powers resolution aimed at ending Donald Trumpâs illegal war of choice against Iranâalthough skeptics cautioned that the measure will likely have little impact on the actions of a president who has habitually shown utter contempt for the rule of law.
House lawmakers voted 215-208, with 7 legislators not voting, in favor of H.Con.Res.86, introduced in April by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and cosponsored by Reps. James Himes (D-Conn.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
House approves war powers resolution to halt military action against Iran in a rebuke of Trump
he House for the first time Wednesday approved a war powers resolution that would halt the U.S. military action against Iran, defying President Donald Trump as a handful of Republicans joined with Democrats to end the three-month-long conflict that has reordered politics at home and abroad.
âThis Must Stopâ: Call Grows for US Lawmakers to Pass Lebanon War Powers Resolution
The brief resolution would require the US to end unauthorized military cooperation with Israel within seven days of being passed, which proponents said may also limit the ability of the US military to share intelligence and coordinate targets with Israel.
Tlaib and other progressives like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) initially pushed for the resolution to be brought to a House vote during the week of May 18, but it was kicked until after lawmakers returned from recess.
In the meantime, several cosponsors have signed onto the resolution, bringing the total up to 17. They include Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Rep. André Carson (D-Ind.), who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
McIver Speaks out Against Unlawful Abuse Against Protestors and Detainees at Delaney
(May 28, 2026)
âIâm hearing from advocates and families on the ground reports of ICE pepper spraying and beating detainees inside Delaney Hall. I have seen the horrific conditions and spoken to those inside about the disgusting food, lack of medical care, and violent and unsanitary conditions as recently as this week. With demoted former USCBP Commander Greg Bovinoâs announcement that he is coming to Newark today and his threats online to tear gas our community, I have even more concern that he will only escalate the chaos at Delaney,â said McIver. âMore ICE violence has never made a situation safer. The only solution to stop the abuse at Delaney Hall and quell this terror nationwide is to shut down the facility and abolish ICE. We will keep standing up to this administrationâs terror campaign and we will keep fighting for justice.â
On Monday, McIver made her fourth visit to Delaney Hall. The chaos created by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during McIverâs first visit to Delaney Hall, led to the Trump administration bringing baseless charges against her for conducting oversight. Her second visit came on the heels of the death of Jean Wilson Brutus in ICE custody. Her third visit was following the release of the S.O.S. letter signed by 300 detainees.
Statement by Governor Sherrill on NJDOH Inspection of Delaney Hall
(May 28, 2026)
âThe New Jersey Department of Health today sought to conduct a health inspection of Delaney Hall, but it was denied full access and was allowed to inspect only a limited part of the facility. We will review and share the Departmentâs findings from the limited portion it was allowed to inspect, and we will continue to pursue all appropriate avenues for demanding transparency and ensuring humane conditions for the individuals being held at the facility.
âAs Iâve said repeatedly, refusing to provide full access raises serious questions about what ICE is trying to hide from public view.
âNew Jersey believes in the rule of law, will uphold the Constitution, and Delaney Hall should be closed down. I am calling for ICE to immediately de-escalate the situation as I continue working to keep New Jersey residents safe.â
New Jersey Gov. Sherrill denied access to North Jersey immigration detention center as hunger strike enters fourth day
(May 26, 2026)
After her visit, Sherrill said in a statement that her request to access the facility was formally denied earlier in the day âraising serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view.â She added that she visited the site to hear from advocates and the families of those detained.
âWhat I heard from them was heartbreaking,â she said in the statement. âI will continue to hold ICE accountable, and I remain grateful for the work of our federal delegation.â
The governor expressed concerns about Delaney Hall in a previous statement issued Sunday, calling reports of âunsafe, inhumane, and unconstitutional living conditionsâŠcompletely unacceptable.â
Newark migrant jail detainees launch hunger, labor strike over conditions behind bars
(May 22, 2026)
NEWARK â Roughly 300 people detained at migrant jail Delaney Hall began a hunger and labor strike to bring attention to what they call the detrimental conditions and treatment they say they face behind bars.
For two hours near a tent outside the Doremus Avenue detention center Friday morning, people shared their stories of loved ones who are detained inside. Gabriela Soto translated calls from prisoners, including one from her husband, Martin, who has been held there since February.
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Shortly after their calls with advocates, guards cut access to phones and tablets inside.
S.O.S: A Second Letter From Delaney Hall
(May 12, 2026)
We feel vulnerable and, in a way, kidnapped âdetained without justificationâ not to mention that we are being tortured physically and psychologically due to the poor food resources provided in these detention centers. We see with deep helplessness and frustration that our due process, rights, and defense have been violated, disregarding benefits granted under the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments of the UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. Families are being destroyed and separated, where there are children, nieces, and minors who are suffering a very strong psychological impact because they do not understand the situation, and in some cases they have witnessed the arrests of their relatives, who have been struck by tragedy and the economic burden, since in most cases we are heads of household.
Rep. LaMonica McIver charged with assault after Newark mayorâs arrest outside ICE facility
(May 19, 2025)
In a clip released by the Department of Homeland Security, McIver can be seen on the facility side of a chain-link fence before crossing through the gate and joining a crowd shouting „surround the mayor.“ Video shows McIver pressing forward in the crowd, with her elbows making contact with a federal officer.
Homeland Security said the charge followed a „thorough review“ of the footage and an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations.