WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Senate committee on Thursday that the 60-day clock under the War Powers Resolution has paused because of the ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Hegseth testified on April 30, 2026, on Capitol Hill, one day before the deadline for the Trump administration to secure congressional approval for the conflict.
"We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire," Hegseth said in response to questions from senators. A senior administration official said hostilities with Iran had "terminated," emphasizing that a ceasefire had been in effect since early April.
Friday marks the 60th day since President Trump formally notified Congress of the strikes against Iran on March 2. The War Powers Resolution requires a president, within 60 calendar days of using U.S. armed forces in combat, to end the use of those forces unless Congress formally declares war or allows an extension of up to 30 days for the prompt removal of troops. The law was passed in 1973 to limit the ability of President Richard Nixon to continue waging war in Vietnam.
Senator Tim Kaine challenged the administration's interpretation during the hearing. "I do not believe the statute would support that. I think the 60 days runs maybe tomorrow, and it's going to pose a really important legal question for the administration there," Kaine said.
The senior administration official said: "For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28 have terminated." The official said there had been no exchange of fire between the U.S. and Iran since April 7.
Other administration officials have argued that the absence of active exchanges since early April means hostilities have effectively ceased for the purposes of the War Powers Resolution, so the 60-day deadline may no longer apply. Administration officials were in active conversations with members of Congress about gaining congressional authorization for the war.
The U.S. and Iran have largely halted direct attacks since April 8 as ceasefire negotiations began, but those talks have since stalled, and the two sides have not yet reached a longer-term deal. The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports and ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly warned that strikes could resume.
Democratic-led attempts in both chambers of Congress to constrain Trump have repeatedly failed. Democrats have vowed to continue their efforts, saying the attempts are an opportunity to get lawmakers' views on the record. Most Republicans have opposed the Democratic efforts, though some have signaled they could reconsider their positions beyond the 60-day period.
Hegseth sparred with Democratic lawmakers in the House during another hearing on Wednesday. During that session, one of his top officials said operations in Iran had cost the U.S. approximately $25 billion.