Senate Rejects Democratic Measure to Curb Trump on Iran Force, Three GOP Senators Support Advance

Washington — The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Democratic bid to limit President Trump's power to use military force against Iran, though one new Republican senator backed advancing the measure.

A motion to discharge the resolution from committee fell short on a 49-50 vote. Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska sided with most Democrats to move it forward. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania stood alone among Democrats in opposition.

Murkowski had opposed earlier versions of the measure. She told reporters that after a key 60-day window passed earlier this month, she expected more clarity from the administration but received none. The Alaska Republican said she felt it was now time to support the measure so the Senate could discuss responsibilities under the War Powers Resolution.

"We're in a different place than we were last time we voted on this," Murkowski said.

The resolution, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, would direct the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless authorized by a declaration of war or specific military force authorization.

Since the war started on Feb. 28, Senate Democrats have tried six times to pass such resolutions curbing Trump's authority in Iran. Until this sixth effort, Paul was the only Republican to back advancing them. Democrats hoped more Republicans would join after the 60-day mark.

The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces without a war declaration and limits unauthorized action to 60 days. As the deadline neared, the administration claimed it did not apply, saying the clock stopped with the April 7 ceasefire. Trump wrote congressional leaders on May 1 that hostilities with Iran had terminated.

Democrats rejected that position. Merkley told reporters before Wednesday's vote that he does not accept the 60-day clock as suspended, noting the war is at a different stage and could heat up again.

"But this will be the first vote in which we're looking at it through that lens," Merkley said.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch of Idaho backed the administration before the vote, saying the hostilities in the resolution do not exist today and have not for some time.

"My colleagues on the other side of the chamber keep saying that somehow the administration is not in compliance with a 60-day clock," Risch said. "The operations that began on Feb. 28 have been terminated. The hostilities ended with the April 7 ceasefire. They're over — full stop."

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who has led the Senate's war powers effort, told reporters the vote tested Republicans' commitment to Congress's role in war decisions.

Kaine said Republicans face constituent pressure over the war's economic effects and high gas prices. "We're starting to hear doubt creep into their words and into their statements, not only just to us, but more generally."

"There will be a day, and it might be soon, I believe, where this Senate will say to the president, 'stop this war,'" he added. "I don't know that today will be the day, but I believe that day is coming."

Merkley pointed to waning Republican support and rising skepticism about the operation. He cited two possible factors in the vote: faith in the ceasefire and Trump being overseas in China. For Republicans, he said, it doubles the weight to switch positions while the president is abroad.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted before the vote that Trump is negotiating with China on national security issues.

"And I think it would be best if everybody hung together and supported the president," the South Dakota Republican said. "But we'll see. People have their own minds about some of these issues."

Merkley said many Republicans seem uncomfortable with their stance but also with opposing Trump.

Murkowski, who plans to introduce formal authorization for force in Iran, questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the administration's authority at a Tuesday hearing. Hegseth said if the president resumes strikes against Iran, the administration has all necessary authorities.

When Murkowski asked if congressional approval would help clarify full authority, Hegseth replied, "Our view is that he has all the authorities he needs under Article II to execute."