60-Day Clock Is Running Out on U.S. Iran Strikes and Congress Wants Answers

What Happened?

Senate Republicans are pressing the Trump administration to explain how it is interpreting the timeline under the War Powers Act as U.S. military operations against Iran approach the 60-day mark. That deadline, triggered by the first strikes on February 28th, typically requires the president to either seek congressional authorization or begin winding down military action.

During recent testimony, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth introduced a key complication after suggesting the 60-day clock may not run continuously if a ceasefire is in place, arguing that pauses in active fighting could affect how ‘hostilities’ are counted under the law. While that interpretation has not yet been formally submitted to Congress, lawmakers expect clarification soon.

Several Republican senators signaled they are open to the administration’s reasoning, leaving room for a flexible reading of the law, while others indicated they are waiting for a formal notice outlining the administration’s legal position. Democrats, however, rejected the argument outright, saying that even without active airstrikes, U.S. military actions like blockades or logistical support still qualify as ongoing hostilities.

Why It Matters

The disagreement and the need for clarification will determine whether the administration can continue military operations without a direct vote from Congress. If the 60-day limit is strictly enforced, the White House would need authorization to proceed or risk violating federal law.

Google just lost a $100 billion antitrust case. Here's who benefits.

A federal judge just ruled that Google illegally monopolized the online advertising market.

The DOJ wants a breakup.

If it happens, billions of dollars in digital ad spend will need somewhere new to go.

That's a problem for Google. But it's a tailwind for platforms that already sit between brands and consumers.

Platforms like Mode Mobile.

Mode built a software layer called EarnOS that pays users for everyday phone activity — browsing, music, games, charging. Brands pay Mode for the engagement. Mode shares the revenue with users.

It's a closed loop. And it works without Google's ad infrastructure.

$115M+ in revenue. $11.8M EBITDA in 2025. 490M+ users across 170 countries. Monthly profitability since April 2025.

Deloitte ranked them the #1 fastest-growing software company in North America. 32,481% over three years.

They've reserved $MODE on the Nasdaq.

Pre-IPO shares are still $0.50. Up to 20% bonus for early investors.

The ad economy is getting reshuffled. Mode is already positioned on the other side of it.*

Get the details here.

Disputes over what counts as ‘hostilities’ have been a recurring gray area in modern conflicts, especially as military operations rely more on airpower, intelligence sharing, and indirect involvement rather than large troop deployments. That leaves room for administrations to argue they haven’t crossed the threshold that triggers stricter limits, even while military pressure continues.

While some Republicans are indicating they’re open to a wider interpretation that gives the White House more flexibility, Democrats are pushing for a tighter reading that forces congressional approval. Whichever way this gets resolved will heavily influence how much control Congress actually has in future conflicts that don’t look like traditional wars, but still involve sustained U.S. military activity.

How It Affects You

If the Trump administration sticks to the argument that the clock can pause, military operations could continue without an immediate vote in Congress, and almost certainly will. That would keep the current structure in place, with U.S. involvement continuing at whatever level the administration defines as acceptable under its interpretation.

However, if Congress pushes back and enforces the deadline, the situation changes quickly. Lawmakers would have to vote on whether to authorize continued military action. That forces a public debate and creates a clear political dividing line. If authorization fails, the administration would be under pressure to scale back or end operations.

There is also the very real possibility that neither side forces a clean resolution. If the administration sends a legal justification and Congress does not act decisively, the situation will be in limbo. Operations will continue, the deadline will become less meaningful, and the conflict will carry on without a formal decision. That kind of outcome has happened before, and it tends to leave the public with less clarity about how long U.S. forces will remain involved or what the end goal actually is.

*Disclaimer: Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile’s Regulation A+ Offering.

Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur.

The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.

Mode cumulative revenue includes full year revenue of businesses acquired in 2025.

Mode 2025 EBITDA includes full year EBITDA of businesses acquired in 2025.