Senate Passes House-Backed Resolution to Limit Trump’s Iran Military Actions

The Senate voted 50-48 on Tuesday to adopt a House-passed concurrent resolution that orders the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress declares war or authorizes the use of military force. Four Republican senators—Susan Collins, Bill Cassidy, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul—joined the Democratic majority, while Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick were absent and Democrat John Fetterman opposed the measure.

The resolution invokes the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires the president to withdraw forces when Congress directs a concurrent resolution. Because the measure does not need the president’s signature, it is largely symbolic; the administration maintains that U.S. forces are not currently engaged in hostilities with Iran and has questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers framework.

President Trump responded on his social platform, calling the vote “poorly timed and meaningless” and criticizing the Republican senators who supported it. Rep. Gregory Meeks, the Democratic House Foreign Affairs Committee leader who introduced the resolution, said he will “explore all legal avenues to ensure the Executive complies with the will of Congress.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to join Democrats in opposing what he described as a “disastrous war,” emphasizing that congressional approval is required to continue any military action. The House had passed the same measure on June 3 with bipartisan support after previous attempts failed.

The vote follows a series of Senate actions aimed at curbing the president’s war powers since the conflict began in late February, including a prior resolution led by Sen. Tim Kaine that still requires further Senate approval before moving to the House.