Key facts
- The US Senate rejected a war powers resolution to limit Donald Trump's authority to wage war in Iran.
- The vote was 49-50, with one Democrat, John Fetterman, voting against the measure.
- Three Republican senators, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul, voted in favor of the resolution.
- This is the second time in two weeks the Senate has considered legislation to end hostilities with Iran.
- The conflict has lasted over five months, exceeding Donald Trump's initial prediction.
- A recent poll shows two-thirds of US adults believe the war has not been worthwhile.
The US Senate on Thursday voted down a resolution that would have limited Donald Trump's authority to engage in military action against Iran. The vote, which failed 49-50, marks the second time in two weeks the chamber has considered legislation to end the ongoing conflict.
Senator John Fetterman was the sole Democrat to vote with Republicans against the measure. Conversely, Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul joined Democrats in supporting the resolution, which sought to require explicit congressional authorization for continued hostilities.
Mitch McConnell was absent for the vote as he recovers from a fall. The conflict, which began on February 28, has now lasted over five months, exceeding Donald Trump's initial prediction of "four to five weeks."
The war's objectives have been to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to curb its support for militant proxies. However, Iran has responded with strikes on US bases and disruption of oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a global energy shock. A ceasefire brokered in June collapsed quickly, leading to renewed fighting.
According to Pentagon figures, at least 18 US service members have been killed and over 450 wounded. The Pentagon has requested approximately $80 billion more to sustain the war effort, in addition to the $37 billion already spent.
The Senate previously approved a similar war powers resolution in late June, but it was later defeated after key Republican defectors reversed their votes. The House of Representatives has passed its own symbolic resolution twice, but it lacks the force of law.
A recent Associated Press-NORC poll revealed that about two-thirds of US adults believe the war has not been worthwhile, a sentiment shared by most Democrats and independents, and approximately 37% of Republicans.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand had urged her colleagues to support the resolution, arguing that the war strains household budgets and that Congress has the constitutional authority to end it.