Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Resolution 49-50

The Senate on Wednesday narrowly defeated a Democratic resolution aimed at requiring congressional authorization for President Donald Trump's ongoing military campaign against Iran, as three Republican senators joined Democrats in support of the measure. The vote fell short at 49-50, with Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski crossing party lines for the first time, alongside Maine Republican Susan Collins and Kentucky Republican Rand Paul. Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman provided the decisive vote against the resolution, aligning with most Republicans.

The legislation, sponsored by Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley, invoked the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which permits presidents to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities for 60 days without approval but requires congressional authorization thereafter. The clock started on March 2, when Trump notified Congress of strikes against Iran that began days earlier at the end of February. That period expired on May 1. This marked the seventh such Senate vote since the conflict's outset, with Democrats committing to weekly attempts while in session.

The Trump administration maintains that hostilities ended before the deadline due to a...