Key facts
- The Senate failed to advance a war powers resolution aimed at halting U.S. military action against Iran.
- The procedural vote to advance the resolution failed with a 47-48 tally.
- Four Republican senators defected to vote in favor of the resolution.
- Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) proposed the resolution.
- Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) intends to continue bringing similar measures to a vote.
The Senate narrowly blocked a war powers resolution on Tuesday that would have halted U.S. military action against Iran, marking the ninth such attempt by senators seeking to rein in President Donald Trump's authority in the nearly four-month-long conflict. The procedural vote failed with a 47-48 tally, falling short of the majority needed to advance the measure.
Four Republican senators—Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul of Kentucky—joined most Democrats in supporting the resolution. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against advancing it. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who proposed the resolution, urged colleagues to "put a check on this president’s lawless warmongering."
Senators have expressed skepticism about the Trump administration's emerging Iran deal and frustration over the White House's refusal to share details. They are awaiting a briefing from the administration, which has not yet been scheduled before a planned Friday deadline for signing the agreement. Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, who has been leading the party's efforts, vowed to continue bringing war powers resolutions to a vote, emphasizing the need for congressional involvement in decisions to resume military strikes amid a fragile ceasefire.
Some senators believe Congress must vote on any agreement the Trump administration strikes with Iran over its nuclear program, citing the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. Others contend a congressional vote is not necessary. The House of Representatives had previously approved its own war powers resolution to end the military action against Iran.