Key facts
- The Senate passed a war powers resolution Tuesday seeking to block U.S. military action against Iran.
- Four Republican senators, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy, voted with Democrats for the measure.
- One Democrat, John Fetterman, voted against the resolution.
- The resolution passed with a vote of 50-48.
- President Donald Trump criticized the Republican senators who supported the resolution.
The Senate passed a war powers resolution Tuesday, for the first time, seeking to block U.S. military action against Iran. The vote was 50-48, with four Republican senators — Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy — joining Democrats. One Democrat, John Fetterman, voted against the measure. The resolution is largely symbolic but reflects growing concerns among some Republican lawmakers about the war and a deal President Donald Trump struck with Iran to end it.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized past Republican support for the war, calling it a "historic blunder." The vote occurred as the Pentagon seeks $80 billion from Congress for the Iran war. Trump is reportedly displeased with Republicans critical of his Iran deal, which includes a $300 billion fund for Iran's reconstruction.
Democrats have repeatedly forced votes on the Iran war since late February. The House previously passed a similar war powers resolution with four Republican votes. While such resolutions do not go to the president for signature, their passage serves as a symbolic statement and rebuke of administration actions. Senator Tim Kaine noted the current pause in fighting provides an opportunity for Congress to assess future actions.