California Sen. Adam Schiff (D) criticized the cost and consequences of the Iran conflict, arguing the U.S. has already paid a heavy price as the Trump administration maintains pressure on Iran’s economy.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Schiff pointed to casualties and injuries among U.S. forces.
“We are now in the second month of Trump’s Iran war, and we have already tragically lost 13 service members… more than 200 service members have been injured, some very seriously,” Schiff said.
He also referenced the downing of two American pilots and the rescue mission that followed, describing it as dangerous and placing additional troops at risk.
Schiff then focused on the financial cost.
“We have squandered tens of billions of dollars that could have been used to build hospitals… childcare centers and senior centers,” he said, adding that Americans are facing higher prices for gas, groceries, utilities, and medical care.
He argued the administration has not made a clear case for the conflict and criticized Congress for failing to hold hearings or vote on authorization.
“The case for the war in Iran has never been made… and my colleagues will not put the matter to a vote,” Schiff said.
The dispute comes as the legal deadline under the War Powers Resolution approaches.
The law gives the president 60 days to end hostilities or seek congressional approval. The conflict began February 28, placing the deadline around May 1.
Administration officials argue the current ceasefire pauses that timeline.
A senior official said the U.S. and Iran have not exchanged fire since early April and that hostilities have effectively ended.
“For War Powers Resolution purposes, the hostilities… have terminated,” a U.S. official said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ceasefire stops the clock.
“We are in a ceasefire right now… which means the 60-day clock pauses or stops,” Hegseth told lawmakers.
That interpretation is being challenged.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine (D) said he does not believe the law allows a pause and warned the deadline still applies, per the Conservative Brief.
“I do not believe the statute would support that,” Kaine said, signaling a potential legal clash.
Senate Democrats have repeatedly tried to force votes under the War Powers Resolution to end or limit the conflict.
Those efforts have failed multiple times, including the latest attempt.
Some Republicans have joined those efforts.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R) were among those supporting the measure.
The administration has argued the conflict achieved its objectives and is nearing an end due to the ceasefire.
Critics continue to question both the cost and the legal basis for the operation.
The fight now centers on whether the war is effectively over and whether congressional authorization is required if military action resumes.
