The US Senate has approved a war powers resolution aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from continuing hostilities against Iran, delivering a significant symbolic rebuke to the administration. The measure, which passed by a 50-48 vote, requires the president to seek congressional authorisation before using military force against Iran.
Four Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the resolution: Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Bill Cassidy and Rand Paul. Democrat John Fetterman was the sole member of his party to vote against it. The resolution had already passed the House of Representatives earlier this month.
Although the resolution does not require the president's signature and faces constitutional challenges from Trump and his allies, its passage highlights growing discontent among Republicans over a conflict that has become deeply unpopular with voters ahead of the midterm elections. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 23% of Americans believed the US was stronger because of the war with Iran, with nearly two-thirds doubting a truce would last.
The resolution's success was aided by the absence of two Republicans: Dave McCormick and Mitch McConnell, who was hospitalised last week. Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer called the conflict "one of the worst foreign policy forays America has ever made," citing rising costs and the loss of 13 service members.
Greg Meeks, the Democratic sponsor of the resolution, said he would "explore all legal avenues to ensure the executive complies with the will of Congress," adding that Congress never authorised the war and the president cannot continue it without consent.
