Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers on Thursday that the mandatory 60-day deadline for congressional authorization of the war with Iran has effectively "paused," citing a standing ceasefire as evidence that active hostilities have terminated.

The assertion sets the stage for a major constitutional showdown as Friday marks the 60th day since President Trump formally notified Congress of strikes against Iran on March 2. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, a president must terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces within 60 days of such notification unless Congress issues a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force.

The Administration's Stance

Secretary Hegseth’s testimony before the Senate suggests the administration views the current lull in fighting as a legal reset. "We are in a ceasefire right now," Hegseth stated. "Our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire."

Senior administration officials echoed this, maintaining that the conflict which began on February 28 has "terminated" for legal purposes. They pointed to the fact that there has been no direct exchange of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces since April 7.

Legal and Legislative Pushback

The administration's interpretation faced immediate skepticism from Democrats. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) challenged the Secretary's legal logic during the hearing. "I do not believe the statute would support that," Kaine said. "I think the 60 days runs maybe tomorrow, and it’s going to pose a really important legal question."

Legal experts also questioned the "terminated" status of the conflict. Professor Heather Brandon-Smith of Georgetown University Law argued that the ongoing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports constitutes a continuing act of war.

"Hostilities have not ceased," Brandon-Smith noted. "A ceasefire is not a permanent end to the conflict... to my mind, a permanent end is what would actually close up the 60 days."

Economic and Diplomatic Stakes

The conflict has already taken a massive toll:

• Financial Cost: Pentagon officials revealed that operations have cost approximately $25 billion to date.

• Energy Impact: Oil prices saw a slight reprieve following reports from the Iranian state news agency IRNA that Tehran had sent a negotiation proposal via Pakistani intermediaries.

• Global Shipping: Despite the drop in oil prices, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, continuing to strain global supply chains and energy markets.

Congressional Outlook

While Democrats have repeatedly tried to pass measures to constrain the President’s military authority, they have yet to find enough Republican support to succeed. However, some GOP lawmakers have signaled they may reconsider their stance if the conflict continues past the 60-day mark without a long-term resolution.

The war was ignited earlier this year following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, prompting retaliatory Iranian strikes across the Gulf. While the Trump administration maintains the objective is to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the path toward a permanent diplomatic or legal resolution remains unclear.