Senate again fails to adopt Iran War Powers Resolution despite growing criticism

The Senate has rejected a resolution aimed at curbing President Trump's war powers in Iran, even though it received support from a new group of Republican senators. The 49-50 vote saw four Republicans join Democrats in advancing the measure, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania being the lone Democrat to oppose it. The concurrent resolution would have required the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for military action.

The House had already adopted the resolution by a 214-208 vote in July. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 allows Congress to direct the president to remove troops through a concurrent resolution, but presidents of both parties have argued that the process is unconstitutional and cannot bind them. Sen. Thom Tillis, who is leaving the Senate soon, supported the resolution after 60 days had passed since the administration notified Congress that military action against Iran had resumed.

This vote is seen as the final opportunity to address the issue before the midterm elections, as the war in Iran has now lasted over six months without an end in sight, contributing to rising gas and diesel prices. Democrats have pushed for more than a dozen votes on efforts to limit the president's war powers in Iran since the conflict began in late February, with most failing to pass.

However, the Senate did advance a measure led by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia with the support of four Republicans in May, and a similar resolution passed by the House in June marked a symbolic rebuke of the president. Despite a contentious meeting with President Trump, Tillis and the other three Republicans who joined Democrats in supporting the resolution earlier this week had since changed their votes, leading to the failure of a push to advance Kaine's resolution a day later.

Democrats remain committed to continuing their efforts to pressure Senate Republicans with these votes.