Exclusive: Johnson backs new 60-day clock if Iran fighting flares up [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated June 30, 2026, 11:16 a.m. ET


WASHINGTON — House Speaker Mike Johnson said he hopes the Iranians "come to their senses" amid a flare-up in fighting, but if a tenuous ceasefire continues to break down, he suggested President Donald Trump should get a fresh start on the legal deadline to receive approval for the military conflict from Congress.

The president is legally required under the War Powers Act to withdraw troops from combat zones if Congress does not formally authorize their deployment within 60 days. That deadline came and went nearly two months ago, with no request coming to Capitol Hill from Trump.

The Trump administration has argued that the ceasefire with Iran paused or stopped the clock altogether – and nullified the need for Congress to weigh in on the war. Johnson, a constitutional lawyer, backed up the administration.

He indicated in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY on June 29 that if hostilities ramped up significantly, Trump could restart the 60-day clock for congressional approval. "I suppose it would have to restart entirely.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/30/mike-johnson-trump-iran-war-powers-exclusive-interview/90742416007/