Former U.S. attorney and Army officer Margaret Donovan said Congress must act to limit the scope of the war with Iran.
This call for legislative intervention comes as the U.S. government weighs further escalation and faces significant financial costs from ongoing military operations. The tension highlights a growing debate over the balance of power between the executive branch and Congress regarding war powers.
Donovan said Congress needs to "finally flex its muscle" to restrain the conflict. Her remarks follow a period of intense military activity, during which U.S. forces conducted strikes on Iranian targets daily for nearly two weeks [1]. While those daily strikes have since paused, the potential for renewed escalation remains a central concern for policymakers in Washington, D.C.
The financial toll of the conflict has become a primary point of contention. The Pentagon requested $80 billion to cover expenses related to the Iran war and other bills [2]. This funding request underscores the scale of the resource commitment required to maintain the current military posture.
Donovan said there is a need for a strategic pivot to manage both the fiscal burden and the risk of a wider regional war. She said that without congressional oversight, the conflict could continue to expand without a clear exit strategy or defined limit on U.S. involvement.
President Trump is currently considering whether to further escalate military actions. This deliberation occurs as lawmakers evaluate the $80 billion request and determine whether to grant the administration continued autonomy in its engagement with Iran [2].
“Congress needs to 'finally flex its muscle' in reining in Iran war.”
The push for congressional intervention reflects a broader constitutional struggle over the War Powers Resolution. By tying the $80 billion funding request to specific restrictions on military escalation, Congress could effectively shift the conflict from an executive-led operation to a legislatively monitored engagement, potentially limiting the administration's ability to unilaterally expand the war.
