IMO it depends on the War Powers Act. If it appears they have the votes, they might initate operations earlier.

Votes? That’s pre-9/11 stuff. We already bombed Iran and launched missile strikes and a special forces raid to capture the head of state of Venezuela without Congress voting on it, within the last few months. They don’t appear to be planning an actual invasion (moving troops in-theater takes time and is impossible to hide) and Congress lets presidents bomb anyone they like without restraint, these days.