The Senate approved a resolution on Tuesday demanding President Donald Trump seek congressional approval for the war with Iran — putting both chambers on record against the ongoing campaign.
The 50-48 vote backed a House-passed concurrent resolution directing Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran. It does not carry the force of law or mandate that he withdraw forces. Still, it is a symbolic rebuke of the president’s war authority in Iran and is likely to add pressure on the White House as lawmakers demand more details about its talks with Iran and question what comes next.
Four Republicans, all of whom previously supported similar measures, joined Democrats to pass the measure: Sens. Rand Paul (Kentucky), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Bill Cassidy (Louisiana). Sen. John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) was the only Democrat to vote no.
Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) and Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) were absent.
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The vote gives critics of the war a bipartisan marker after weeks of arguing that Trump launched the campaign without congressional approval.
The Senate has also advanced its own Iran war powers resolution, which would direct Trump to end U.S. hostilities against Iran. But senators have not yet taken a final vote on that measure.
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