Congress should stop dodging its responsibilities on Iran

Virtually from the moment U.S. bombs started falling on Iran on Feb. 28, the White House has been twisting itself into verbal knots to avoid calling the conflict a “war.” On May 1, the president declared that hostilities had officially “terminated,” as a fragile ceasefire had been in effect since April 7.

When shooting subsequently resumed, the Pentagon described fresh attacks on Iranian naval speedboats as a “clinical application of defensive munitions.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently reiterated that the war had “concluded” after the U.S. had “achieved the objectives” of Operation Epic Fury.

Most Americans can see through such euphemism.

The Republican majority in Congress, which represents them, ought to open its eyes.

Driving these rhetorical gymnastics is the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

It requires the White House to notify Congress within 48 hours if U.S. forces engage in hostilities — and then to end the fighting within 60 days unless specifically authorized.

That deadline passed on May 1.

Meanwhile, other than defeating Democratic-sponsored measure