Senate Republicans Join Democrats to Advance Iran War Powers Resolution

A Senate Republican spurned by President Donald Trump joined Senate Democrats to advance a war powers resolution limiting U.S. military action in Iran.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who lost his primary bid over the weekend, provided the key vote to move the measure past a procedural hurdle. He sided with Democrats after Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, switched her position last week.

Four Senate Republicans joined Democrats to advance the resolution after seven failed attempts. The measure still faces additional votes, and even if it passes Congress, Democrats are unlikely to have enough support to override a presidential veto.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor that Trump is no closer to ending the war, bringing down its costs or removing U.S. troops from harm's way.

"Senate Republicans must not continue to allow Trump to remain stuck in this never-ending loop of threats and failed negotiations," Schumer said.

Murkowski, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, joined Democrats in supporting the measure. Murkowski said Congress missed the 60-day deadline to authorize or halt the war and that lawmakers should now debate the War Powers Resolution Act.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., continued to vote with Republicans against the resolution.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said responsibility for cutting funding rests with every senator, not just Fetterman. He added that if the war continues and becomes hotter, a war powers resolution will likely pass soon.

Vice President JD Vance told reporters the administration is prepared to act if talks fail to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

"We are not going to have a deal that allows the Iranians to have a nuclear weapon," Vance said. "We're locked and loaded. We don't want to go down that pathway. But the president is willing and able to go down that pathway if we have to."