Senate Rejects Bid to End Iran War in Narrow 49-50 Vote/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ The Senate narrowly rejected a war powers resolution seeking to halt President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran. Four Republicans joined most Democrats, but the measure failed 49-50 as high gas and diesel prices reshape the midterm elections. Congress could still challenge the seven-month war by restricting funding, including Trump’s pending request for an additional $87.6 billion.
Quick Look
- The Senate rejected the resolution by a 49-50 vote.
- Four Republican senators supported ending the war.
- Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted against the resolution.
- The Iran conflict began on Feb. 28.
- This was the Senate’s 14th Iran war powers vote.
- The war has cost approximately $43.5 billion.
- Diesel prices have nearly doubled to more than $6 per gallon.
- The House previously approved the resolution with Republican support.
- The White House’s additional $87.6 billion funding request remains stalled.
Deep Look
Senate narrowly rejects Iran war resolution
WASHINGTON — The Senate narrowly rejected a war powers resolution that sought to end President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran.
The measure failed in a 49-50 vote, despite increasing political concern about the seven-month conflict and its effect on gasoline prices, inflation and the approaching midterm elections.
Four Republican senators joined most Democrats in supporting the resolution, but their votes were not enough to secure passage.
The vote came days after Trump addressed the United Nations and threatened to “annihilate” Iran.
It was likely Congress’ final opportunity before November’s elections to formally register opposition to the war.
Four Republicans break with Trump
Republican Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky voted for the resolution.
Collins, Murkowski and Paul have supported similar efforts during previous war powers votes.
Tillis said Congress needed to challenge the recurring pattern of presidents conducting prolonged military operations without sufficient legislative authorization.
“We’ve got to break the cycle,” Tillis said.
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania broke with most of his party and voted against the resolution.
Kaine calls conflict illegal
Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine led the push for the vote and sharply criticized Republicans who continued supporting the administration.
“They have been carrying water for this ridiculous and illegal war for months and months and months and not listening to their constituents,” Kaine said.
The vote revealed growing Republican discomfort with Trump’s strategy, even though most GOP senators continued to support the president.
The conflict has become politically dangerous as lawmakers campaign to retain control of Congress.
Gas prices reshape midterm campaigns
A recent survey conducted by The Associated Press and KFF found that approximately half of rural American voters believe the economy has worsened since Trump returned to office.
The prices of gasoline, groceries and healthcare ranked among their most significant concerns.
The war’s disruption of oil supplies and shipping routes has contributed to sharply higher fuel prices.
Diesel costs have nearly doubled and now exceed $6 per gallon, according to AAA. That increase raises transportation expenses and can push up prices throughout the economy.
Republicans demand explanation from Trump
Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy recently campaigned for GOP candidates in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska who have become increasingly vulnerable.
Kennedy urged Trump to deliver a prime-time address explaining the war’s purpose, strategy and potential conclusion.
“People are confused about the war and upset about the cost of living,” Kennedy said.
Despite those concerns, he was not prepared to vote for the resolution ending the conflict.
Other Republicans similarly criticized the war’s economic consequences without challenging Trump’s legal authority to continue it.
Hawley focuses on affordability
Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley opposed the resolution and said the president was acting within his authority as commander-in-chief.
“My own view is that the focus right now needs to be on attacking the cost of living issues,” Hawley said.
Democrats argue that the war and the affordability crisis cannot be separated because the conflict has contributed to high energy prices.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Republicans who began distancing themselves from Trump only after the economic consequences threatened their campaigns.
“Now all of a sudden they’re waking up,” Jeffries said.
Fourteenth Senate vote on Iran war
Thursday’s vote marked the 14th time the Senate has considered a war powers resolution since Trump launched the Iran conflict on Feb. 28.
Such resolutions generally serve as political declarations and do not have the full force of law.
They are nevertheless among Congress’ strongest available tools for expressing opposition to presidential military operations, aside from cutting off funding.
War powers resolutions do not go to the president’s desk for a signature or veto.
House previously approved the measure
The resolution voted on Thursday had passed the House in July with some Republican support.
Earlier this month, the House also approved a war powers resolution for the third time. Seven Republican representatives joined Democrats.
Those Republicans included Iowa Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who face campaigns in a battleground state where rural affordability has become a dominant concern.
Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who wrote the House resolution, condemned the Senate’s decision.
She called the outcome “a slap in the face to the millions of American people who want this war to end.”
Previous Senate success quickly reversed
The Senate briefly approved a war powers resolution in June after four Republicans joined Democrats.
Republicans reversed that result the following day after Trump confronted them during a private lunch.
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy initially defended his vote during the meeting and became involved in a shouting match with Trump.
Cassidy later changed his position and opposed the resolution after receiving a personal White House briefing.
The episode illustrated the intense political pressure Republican lawmakers face when opposing the president.
Iran war has cost $43.5 billion
The conflict has cost approximately $43.5 billion so far, prompting lawmakers to consider additional methods of forcing the administration to change its strategy.
Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie attempted to advance articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Republican House leaders abruptly adjourned the chamber and sent lawmakers home to campaign, preventing a potential impeachment vote.
Congress could use spending authority
Congress retains the authority to limit or eliminate funding for military operations.
Republican lawmakers have so far resisted using that power against the Trump administration.
Democrats are expected to pursue spending restrictions if they gain control of the House or Senate in the midterm elections.
The White House has requested an additional $87.6 billion for the Iran war and other government needs. That funding package remains stalled in Congress.
Its continued delay gives lawmakers another opportunity to pressure Trump over the war’s strategy, duration and cost.
War Powers Act tests constitutional balance
Congress adopted the War Powers Act following the Vietnam War to hold presidents accountable for initiating military operations.
The Constitution grants Congress the sole authority to declare war while designating the president as commander-in-chief.
The law attempts to balance those responsibilities by requiring a president to seek congressional approval within 60 days of launching military action.
Without authorization, the president risks formal congressional disapproval and demands to withdraw military forces.
The Senate’s latest vote allowed Trump’s operation to continue but demonstrated that bipartisan concern about the Iran war is growing as its political and economic costs increase.
More on US News