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On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked a measure aimed at restricting Donald Trump's authority to wage war against Iran without congressional approval.
The 53-47 vote against taking up the resolution largely followed party lines, mirroring an earlier vote this month when Republicans prevented Democrats from limiting Trump’s war powers shortly after the US-Israeli joint strikes, known as Operation Epic Fury, began across Iran.
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to support the measure, stating before the vote, "We do not know Donald Trump’s goals. We do not know Donald Trump’s timeline. We do not know what victory even looks like in his eyes. Enough is enough."
Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote in favor of the measure, while Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a strong supporter of Israel, was the sole Democrat to oppose it.
Senator Cory Booker, who led the war-powers resolution, emphasized in a floor speech that the Constitution clearly does not grant the president unilateral authority to commit the nation and its resources to conflict without Congress’s consent.
Booker acknowledged the resolution’s likely failure but pledged to continue introducing similar measures to compel congressional debate and authorization of military actions. He said, "My colleagues and I will bring up these resolutions again and again and again as more Americans across the political spectrum recognize this war for what it is: one president’s decision."
Opposing the measure, Republican Senator Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, argued that Iran had been poised to attack the US first, necessitating swift action by the Trump administration. Cotton stated, "Given these facts on the ground, we were left with no choice. Iran had already loaded and cocked the gun. What were you supposed to do? Wait till they pulled the trigger? Of course not."
This marked the second attempt by Democrats to compel Congress to weigh in on the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign that began late last month. The conflict has resulted in over 1,300 Iranian deaths, hundreds of civilian casualties in Lebanon, and 15 fatalities in Israel.
The war’s cost surpassed $11.3 billion in its first week, disrupting global supply chains for oil, fertilizer, and aluminum. Earlier this week, US allies declined President Trump’s request for assistance in reopening the critical Strait of Hormuz, refusing to join a war initiated without their consultation.
Earlier on Wednesday, Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, testified that Iran’s nuclear program had been "obliterated" by US strikes last year and that Iran had made no efforts to rebuild since.
President Trump has repeatedly asserted the necessity of war against Iran to counter what his administration describes as an imminent threat from Tehran’s Islamic Republic.
When questioned by lawmakers about whether Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat before the strikes, Gabbard—who, as a 2020 presidential candidate, promoted "No War With Iran" shirts—deflected, stating it was a conclusion for the president to make.
The vote follows the resignation of Joe Kent, former head of the National Counterterrorism Center and a top aide to Gabbard, who stepped down in protest against the war in Iran. His departure highlights the growing discontent within segments of Trump’s "America First" coalition over the conflict.
