Most Senate Republicans and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted down a resolution meant to curb President Donald Trump’s war powers, even as frustration with the nearly seven-month war spills into the midterm campaign.
The resolution, which the House approved in July, failed in a 49-50 vote. Republican Sens. Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined nearly all Democrats in support.
The resolution is largely symbolic. But this vote came at a more precarious moment for Trump, with Republicans facing growing anger over the conflict’s duration, rising fuel prices and the administration’s failure to explain how it plans to end the fighting.
Tillis (R-North Carolina) supported an Iran war powers resolution for the first time after opposing previous efforts to restrain Trump.
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Tillis said Wednesday that the vote was important to get “some strategic clarity around here so we can measure our success.”
The senator, who is not seeking reelection, warned in July that he would take a “very different posture” if the fighting continued beyond Sept. 10, 60 days after the administration formally notified Congress that hostilities had resumed and restarted the war powers clock, an interpretation lawmakers in both parties have questioned.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), who is also retiring after this year, remained opposed to the resolution despite hearing criticism of the war from his constituents. He declined to explain his vote on Thursday.
Last week, the House passed a separate war powers resolution 220-204. Every Democrat voted in favor of the House resolution, along with seven Republicans — four more than had backed previous efforts to check Trump’s war powers. Reps. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn supported an Iran war powers resolution for the first time last week.
Miller-Meeks and Nunn represent competitive Iowa districts where voters have faced rising diesel, gasoline and fertilizer prices.
The resolution directs Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress declares war or specifically authorizes military action. It allows forces needed to defend the U.S. or an ally or partner from an imminent attack to remain.
Democrats have used war powers votes to put lawmakers on the record and register their opposition to the war. The White House argues that Congress cannot force the president to end the campaign this way and that Trump has sufficient authority under Article 2 of the Constitution.
Republican criticism of the war has moved beyond lawmakers who have consistently challenged Trump on constitutional grounds.
Republican Senate candidates Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa and Mike Rogers of Michigan called this week for the war to end quickly as rising fuel prices squeeze voters. Hinson had voted against six House efforts to restrain Trump.
Recent polls show growing opposition to the war. A CNN/SSRS survey found that just 26% approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict, while 78% say he is not doing enough to end it. His approval among Republicans has fallen from 73% in March to 60%. A Marquette poll found that 79% of Americans say the war has not been worth the cost.
The Pentagon’s public database lists 19 American service members killed and more than 820 wounded. U.S. Central Command estimated that the fighting cost $43.6 billion through Sept. 3.
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