Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Resolution 47-52

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected a Democratic-led resolution aimed at curtailing President Donald Trump's military authority in the ongoing conflict with Iran, marking the fourth such defeat in recent weeks as the war approaches a critical statutory deadline.

Lawmakers voted 47-52 against advancing the measure, sponsored by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., which would have directed the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran absent a formal declaration of war or specific congressional authorization for military force. The vote fell largely along party lines, with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the sole Republican to support it and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., the only Democrat to oppose. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., did not vote.

The resolution's failure underscores persistent partisan divides over the conflict, which began on February 28 and has now lasted 47 days. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., have pledged weekly votes on similar measures to pressure Republicans and force public accountability. "Throughout all this miasma, all this mess, this horrible war, where are the Senate Republicans?" Schumer said on the Senate floor....