President Donald Trump said Friday that he will not pursue congressional authorization for the ongoing conflict with Iran, arguing that the requirement under the War Powers Act is invalid and unnecessary.

Under the War Powers Act, a president must obtain approval from Congress within 60 days of notifying lawmakers about a military engagement involving U.S. forces. The joint U.S.-Israeli campaign targeting Iran’s leadership and military assets began on Feb. 28, but Congress was not formally notified until March 2. That timeline set Friday as the deadline for securing authorization to continue operations.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for Florida, Trump was asked why he would not request approval from Congress.

“Because it’s never been sought before,” he said in comments that aired live on Newsmax and the free Newsmax2 streaming platform. “There’s been numerous, many, many times, and nobody’s ever gotten it before. They consider it totally unconstitutional.

“But we’re always in touch with Congress. But nobody’s ever saw it before. Nobody’s ever asked for it before. It’s never been used before. Why should we be different?”

Presidents from both political parties have historically carried out military actions without formally invoking the War Powers Act, often raising questions about its constitutional standing and choosing not to adhere to it in certain situations.

Trump’s remarks build on the administration’s broader position regarding the law. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the 60-day requirement does not apply in this case because a ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been in place since April 8.

However, the statute does not include any clause that pauses the 60-day deadline during a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Senate voted Thursday for the sixth time on a resolution aimed at ending the conflict, rejecting it by a 50-47 margin. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, sided with most Democrats in backing the measure, along with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has consistently supported efforts to limit the administration’s war-making authority. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was the lone Democrat to oppose the resolution.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said Thursday that he would support a formal authorization for the conflict if Trump were to request one. He also raised doubts about the constitutionality of the War Powers Act, noting its origins during the Vietnam War as an effort to reassert congressional control.

“Our founders created a really strong executive, like it or not like it,” Cramer said.