Senate defeats resolution to curb presidential war powers in Iran conflict

The Senate on Tuesday voted 47 to 48 against a war-powers resolution that sought to compel the president to pull U.S. troops out of hostilities with Iran unless a formal declaration of war or specific authorization was obtained. Four Republican senators—Susan Collins, Bill Cassidy, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul—joined nearly all Democrats in opposing the measure, while Democrat John Fetterman was the sole opposition from his party.

The resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, would have directed the president to remove armed forces from any engagement with Iran absent explicit congressional approval. Warnock appealed to colleagues on the Senate floor, urging them to “stand up to this president” after more than three months of conflict.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he has asked the administration for the text of the proposed U.S.–Iran framework and a briefing, citing the 2015 Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act that requires congressional review before sanctions can be lifted. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer noted that Democrats are seeking additional Republican votes to advance a related resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine.

The House earlier passed a separate measure to force the president to end the Iran war without congressional authorization, marking the first successful effort in that chamber to limit the president’s war powers. The administration maintains that the 1973 War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional and argues that a statutory 60-day deadline for ending hostilities was paused by an April cease-fire, despite ongoing attacks.

Democratic senators, led by Adam Schiff, sent a letter to the president asserting that lethal force continued after the cease-fire and that the 60-day clock does not pause, requesting a public explanation of the administration’s legal interpretation.