Classified briefings on the war between Iran and Israel that were scheduled for Tuesday on Capitol Hill were postponed, multiple sources told CNN.
The Senate briefing was moved to Thursday, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Sources also said that the House briefing also was postponed, but it was not clear when it will be rescheduled.
It was not immediately clear why the briefings were being delayed.
ABC News reported that lawmakers, especially Democrats, were awaiting answers and evidence at the briefings from the administration, especially as to why President Donald Trump said there was an imminent threat and carried out U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend.
A number of lawmakers on Capitol Hill have claimed that the military action was unconstitutional, and there are several bipartisan resolutions that could receive a vote soon as they consider whether the president ignored the role of Congress in taking military action against Tehran.
Last week, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., introduced a War Powers Resolution to reprimand Trump's decision to launch strikes.
Massie softened his stance, telling reporters at the Capitol that he's now considering pulling the resolution.
"If the ceasefire holds, and we're not engaged in hostilities, then it's a moot point," he said. "I wouldn't need to bring it to the floor."
Massie also added that he would like to mend fences with the president, who harshly criticized him for introducing the resolution and threatened to campaign for Massie's Republican primary opponent in the next election, according to ABC News.
Trump on Monday announced that Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, after more than a week of fighting following Israel's strikes, and subsequent U.S. attacks, on Iran's nuclear program.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he expects the House briefing to have a different "tone" due to the ceasefire. However, according to ABC News, the ceasefire is likely to raise even more questions from members of Congress.
Sources said the briefers are expected to include Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Dan Caine, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.
Brian Freeman ✉
Brian Freeman, a Newsmax writer based in Israel, has more than three decades writing and editing about culture and politics for newspapers, online and television.