Exclusive: Ro Khanna on war powers and avoiding another “endless” conflict

Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, told Newsweek he is “encouraged” by several Republican colleagues speaking out about Congress asserting its role after President Donald Trump‘s weekend strikes targeting Iran.

Khanna last week introduced a War Powers Resolution aiming to prevent Trump from escalating tensions with Iran, alongside Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican. As of the time of writing, the resolution has 59 co-sponsors in addition to Khanna and Massie. However, Massie remains the lone Republican involved in the effort.

Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment.

Why It Matters

The push for a War Powers Resolution comes amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions as Israel and Tehran exchanged attacks over the past two weeks. Trump announced on Monday night that Israel and Iran had reached a ceasefire agreement. Khanna and Massie’s effort was launched prior to Trump’s weekend strikes on Iran that targeted three nuclear sites.

The initiative underscores broader concerns in Congress about the potential for open-ended military engagement without legislative consent. The debate centers on safeguarding constitutional checks and balances, preventing another prolonged conflict in the Middle East and reaffirming Congress’ authority to declare war. Trump’s defenders maintain that he acted within his constitutional authority when he launched the Iran strikes, while his critics say that he must consult the legislative branch before taking such action.

Ro Khanna On War Powers Resolution

Khanna, in an email interview with Newsweek on Monday night, confirmed active outreach to Republican colleagues.

“We’re doing outreach to everyone in the House,” he said. “We’re encouraged to see several Republicans make statements about the importance of Congress asserting its constitutional role and staying out of another disastrous war in the Middle East.”

Although Republicans, who largely align with Trump, control the House, Khanna explained that the War Powers Resolution could still move forward.

“War Powers Resolutions are privileged in the House and can be called up for a vote without action in committee after 15 days,” he said. “A simple majority in the House could pass it when it comes up.”

Republican control of the House may present challenges, though Massie told CNN on Sunday that he anticipated enough co-sponsors to potentially force a vote. He said lawmakers should “be able to force a vote unless [House Speaker Mike] Johnson pulls some shenanigans.”

Meanwhile, the Senate is also considering an analogous resolution spearheaded by Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat. Khanna deferred to Kaine’s office for details on additional co-sponsors.

“I know he’s building support for it and expects a vote in the Senate this week,” he said.

As of the time of writing, there are no Senate co-sponsors listed online for Kaine’s resolution.

Khanna framed the debate as pivotal for preventing escalation and learning from past conflicts.

“We cannot get dragged into another disastrous war in the Middle East. We must learn the lessons from the Iraq War and reject the neocon voices trying to drag us into another expensive endless war that needlessly costs us the lives of our troops,” he said.

Asked about the risk of further escalation, Khanna said: “I hope cooler heads will prevail, but we need to pass Representative Thomas Massie’s and my War Powers Resolution to make it clear that we’re not going to get further entrenched in the Middle East.”

Newsweek has requested an interview with Massie.

What To Know About The Iran Conflict

Trump declared a “ceasefire” between Israel and Iran on Monday night. However, strikes between the two nations appeared to continue—leading to a stern rebuke from the president on Tuesday morning.

“They don’t know what the f*** they’re doing,” Trump told reporters at the White House , before departing for a NATO Summit in The Hague.

Responding to Israel’s missile strikes, Trump said: “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before. The biggest load that we’ve seen, I’m not happy with Israel.”

He added: “I got to get Israel to calm down now.”

In a rare rebuke of Israel, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday: “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Iran violated the ceasefire agreement within hours of its scheduled start but that Israel refrained from further retaliation following a call with Trump.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that Iran fired a missile at Israel at 7:06 a.m. local time and two more at 10:25 a.m. after the ceasefire had come into force.

The statement added that Trump “expressed his immense appreciation for Israel” during the call, and “expressed his confidence in the stability of the ceasefire.”

The ceasefire came after the U.S. carried out strikes on three nuclear sites over the weekend. While Trump declared the operation a success, some analysts are skeptical that the attack ended Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran maintains that its program is for peaceful purposes, not to build a weapon.

Iran responded to the attack on Monday with strikes targeting a U.S. military base in Qatar. However, most of the missiles were shot down and Trump said there was no significant damage. The president announced the ceasefire several hours later.

What People Are Saying

Representative Thomas Massie, in a press release last week: “The Constitution does not permit the executive branch to unilaterally commit an act of war against a sovereign nation that hasn’t attacked the United States. Congress has the sole power to declare war against Iran. The ongoing war between Israel and Iran is not our war. Even if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.”

President Donald Trump, on Truth Social on Tuesday: “IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!”

Trump in a previous post: “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly “Plane Wave” to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters on Monday: “I don’t think this is an appropriate time for a war powers resolution, and I don’t think it’s necessary.”

Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, told Punchbowl News this week: “I know I will have Republican support. How much is unclear. The day-to-day events will affect this….This is a very evolving situation.”

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast on Monday: “Six months in and here we are, turning back on campaign promises. And we bombed Iran on behalf of Israel. Yes, it was on behalf of Israel. We are entering a nuclear war—the world war, the World War III, because the entire world is going to erupt.”

What Happens Next

The House War Powers Resolution is scheduled for a mandatory floor vote within 15 days of its introduction. The Senate may consider its own version this week. Whether additional Republican lawmakers join the effort and whether the resolution passes remain open questions as Congress weighs its constitutional role in the wake of the Iran strikes.