Senate Rejects Resolution to End U.S. Involvement in Iran Conflict
The Senate voted 49-50 against a measure that would have required the president to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran, marking another defeat for congressional attempts to end the war.
The Senate on Thursday voted 49-50 to reject a resolution calling for an end to U.S. military involvement in Iran. The measure, a War Powers Resolution, would have directed the president to withdraw troops unless Congress gave explicit approval for continued hostilities.
Four Republicans—Senators Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul—joined the majority in opposing the resolution, while Democrat John Fetterman was the sole member of his party to vote against it. Democrat Angela Alsobrooks was absent due to a family emergency and did not cast a vote.
"Senator Alsobrooks has voted 13 times to end the war in Iran. Unfortunately, she was dealing with an urgent family matter during today's vote so was unable to cast her fourteenth vote to end the war in Iran," spokesperson Meredith Happy said.
The resolution, like similar measures passed by the House, does not carry the force of law and would not be signed by the president, making it largely symbolic. Democratic leaders argue that the Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war and that the president should comply with congressional disapproval.
"The president right now is in violation of the Constitution and the War Powers Act and the concurrent resolution that we've already passed," Senator Tim Kaine said.
The vote comes weeks before the midterm elections, where Republicans risk losing majorities in both chambers amid concerns that the war's economic impact could affect voter sentiment.