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Senate rejects resolution to limit Trump's military actions in Iran
A bipartisan effort to restrict President Donald Trump's authority to wage war against Iran collapsed in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, with lawmakers voting 53-47 against the measure. The resolution would have required congressional approval for any further military operations targeting Iran.
Party lines dominate vote, with rare defections
The vote largely split along partisan lines, though two senators broke ranks. Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman opposed the resolution, while Kentucky Republican Rand Paul supported it. The remaining senators followed their party's stance.
Maine Republican Susan Collins, one of the few moderates in the chamber, argued that passing the measure would undermine U.S. troops and embolden Iran. "At this juncture, providing unequivocal support to our service members is critically important," she stated after the vote.
Democrats accuse Trump of bypassing Congress
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer framed the vote as a choice between endless Middle East conflicts and reining in Trump's military decisions. "Do you stand with the American people, who are exhausted with forever wars, or with Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth as they bumble us headfirst into another war?" he asked before casting his vote in favor of the resolution.
Conflict enters fifth day with no clear end in sight
Hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran escalated over the weekend, with Tehran retaliating by targeting Israel and U.S.-allied Gulf states. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the war could extend for eight weeks-nearly twice as long as Trump initially suggested.
Trump has faced criticism for sidestepping Congress in past military actions, including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year and the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. The administration insists it complied with the War Powers Resolution by notifying congressional leaders before the latest strikes and sending a formal letter to lawmakers on Monday.
Legal debate over war powers intensifies
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration's actions, arguing that no president-Republican or Democrat-has ever accepted the constitutionality of the War Powers Act. Passed in 1973 to curb Richard Nixon's authority during the Vietnam War, the law mandates that presidents notify Congress within 48 hours of military action and seek an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) within 60 days.
Since 2001, administrations have relied on the AUMF enacted after the 9/11 attacks to justify military operations in the Middle East. Repeated attempts to revoke or update that authorization have failed.
House vote looms, but prospects remain dim
The resolution now heads to the House of Representatives, where its passage appears unlikely. While Trump retains broad authority to launch military strikes without a formal declaration of war, the White House maintains it has adhered to notification requirements.
