Washington, DC – The 60-day mark of the United States and Israel’s war with Iran represents a fork in the road for US lawmakers: will they assert their authority – either in support or against – the conflict, or remain silent?It is a question that, experts say, lawmakers technically should not have to answer.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listThe US Constitution limits a president’s war-making powers. A subsequent law passed in 1973 – dubbed the War Powers Act – further codified that presidents must cease military action after 60 days, or receive congressional authorisation to legally continue.But US presidents have for decades pushed the limits of their war-making authority, at times flouting the 60-day deadline, according to David Janovsky, acting director of the Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO). When that has happened, Congress has regularly shrugged.Given the federal courts’ historical reluctance to weigh in on matters of armed conflict, it remains unclear what the pending deadline will bring.That threshold will be reached on May 1, which marks 60 days from when US President Donald Trump officially “notified” Congress of the US-Israel attacks on Iran, which began on February 28.“I think ultimately the question is, does Congress want a say in what’s happening?” Janovsky told Al Jazeera. “Either to say you have to stop right now, or to take some ownership and exercise some oversight?”“The question for members is, are you going to own this or not?”Will Congress act?So far, po …
