The US Senate on Wednesday narrowly defeated a Democratic-led proposal aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s authority over military operations involving Iran. Despite gaining increased bipartisan support, the resolution failed to advance with a 50-49 vote, largely divided along party lines.
Notably, three Republican senators—Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—joined Democrats in backing the measure. Conversely, Democrat John Fetterman sided with Republicans to oppose the resolution. This marked the seventh occasion this year that Republican senators have blocked similar Democratic initiatives seeking to reassert congressional control over military actions related to Iran.
The vote came as the conflict surpassed a 60-day threshold set by the 1973 War Powers Resolution on May 1. Under this law, presidents must either obtain congressional authorization for continued military engagement or begin withdrawing forces. President Trump has maintained that this requirement does not apply, citing a ceasefire that he claims ended hostilities. However, Democrats contest this view, arguing that military operations are ongoing.
Senator Jeff Merkley, who sponsored the resolution, emphasized the continuation of conflict, pointing to attacks on shipping and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. He pledged that Democrats would persist in introducing similar resolutions weekly until the war concludes or Congress formally authorizes it.
Meanwhile, Republicans and the White House defend Trump’s actions as constitutionally valid under his role as commander-in-chief, asserting that limited military measures are necessary to safeguard US interests. This disagreement highlights escalating tensions within Congress over war powers amid the ongoing Iran conflict, which continues to fuel geopolitical and economic instability.
