After seven failed attempts, Democrats succeed in passing war powers resolution in Senate vote with backing from four Republicans.
By World Israel News Staff
The Senate voted Tuesday to advance a war powers resolution that would require President Donald Trump to end US military operations against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes the campaign, marking the first time the chamber has allowed the measure to move forward since the war began in February.
The 50-47 vote won the backing of four Senate Republicans, amid growing concerns in the GOP over the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.
Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana joined nearly all Democrats in voting to advance the resolution. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted with most Republicans against it.
Cassidy’s vote was the most notable shift. The Louisiana Republican, who lost his primary over the weekend after Trump backed his opponent, said the administration had failed to give lawmakers enough information about the war.
“While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” Cassidy said after the vote.
“In Louisiana, I’ve heard from people, including President Trump’s supporters, who are concerned about this war. Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.”
The resolution, led by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, would direct the removal of US forces from unauthorized hostilities against Iran.
Its findings state that Congress has the sole constitutional power to declare war and that Congress has not declared war on Iran or passed a specific authorization for force against Tehran.
Kaine said the vote should force a debate that the administration has avoided.
“The Senate should use this moment to do what we should have done before the war started – discuss the rationale, strategy, end state, and costs to American taxpayers and our economy,” Kaine said before the vote.
The breakthrough followed seven failed attempts to advance similar limits on Trump’s authority since the start of the conflict.
Three Republican senators — Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas — were absent Tuesday, helping Democrats overcome the opposition that had blocked earlier efforts.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer framed the vote as evidence that pressure on Republicans was beginning to work.
“Vote by vote, Democrats are breaking through Republicans’ wall of silence on Trump’s illegal war,” Schumer said. “For more than 80 days, Trump has dragged America into a costly, chaotic conflict with no plan, no objective, and no legal authority.”
The measure still faces steep odds.
Even if it passes the Senate and House, Trump is expected to veto it, and opponents would need two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override him.
The administration has argued that a fragile cease-fire has changed the legal posture of the conflict and delayed any need for further congressional action.
But critics in both parties have rejected that argument, saying the War Powers Resolution’s 60-day clock was triggered by the start of combat operations and cannot be reset by temporary pauses in fighting.
Kaine said he did not expect the next Senate vote until after the break and predicted members would hear from voters angry about the cost of the conflict.
“People are going to hear an earful when they get home about gas prices,” he said.
The House is expected to take up a similar measure in the coming days.
A House war powers effort failed last week on a tie vote after two Republicans joined Democrats, a sign that congressional resistance to the war remains narrow but no longer confined to Democrats.
