Senate Approves War Powers Resolution Rebuking Trump on Iran War
The U.S. Senate voted 50-48 on Tuesday to pass a war powers resolution directing President Trump to end military hostilities against Iran, marking the first time such a measure has passed both chambers of Congress. Four Republicans crossed party lines to join almost all Democrats in this symbolic but unprecedented rebuke of Trump's Iran conflict.
Historic Vote Breaks Precedent
The United States Senate passed a bill to pause President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran and seek congressional approval before any further action is taken on Tuesday, with the chamber voting 50 to 48 to pass the resolution, which had been approved in the House of Representatives earlier in the month. Tuesday's vote marked the first time a war powers resolution had successfully passed both chambers of Congress.
Rare Republican Defection
The Senate voted 50 to 48 on Tuesday afternoon, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support: Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., opposed the resolution, and two Republicans did not vote. The absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was admitted to the hospital recently for an undisclosed matter, and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., left the GOP without a full majority to halt the effort.
Symbolic Measure Amid War Costs
The effort is likely to be symbolic, as Trump is expected to veto the measure. The measure, which is not legally binding and will not be sent to the White House for a signature, was approved by the House earlier this month. However, the war against Iran has been widely unpopular in the US, with a poll released on Tuesday by Reuters and research firm Ipsos finding that only 24 percent of US citizens felt the war had been worth the cost. The Pentagon is seeking $80 billion from Congress mostly for the Iran war as it backfills munitions and stockpiles.
Ongoing Negotiations
Negotiations are currently under way in Switzerland, as the Trump administration and Iran continue to discuss the terms of a ceasefire set out in a June 17 memorandum of understanding (MoU), though whether that memorandum will hold remains unclear. Israel, the US's partner in the war against Iran, has continued to carry out strikes in Lebanon, violating the terms of the agreement, which called for a halt to fighting on all fronts.