Senate rejects Iran war powers resolution as House prepares similar vote
The Senate defeated a war powers resolution 47-53 along party lines, while the House prepares to vote Thursday on limiting Trump's military action in Iran.
The Senate on Wednesday rejected a war powers resolution that would have required congressional approval for continued military action against Iran, with the measure failing 47-53 largely along party lines. The House is expected to vote Thursday on a similar resolution in what represents a test of legislative support for President Trump's military campaign.
The Senate vote saw Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky cross party lines to support the resolution, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the sole Democrat to vote against it. The measure sought to halt Trump's ability to conduct military operations against Iran without congressional authorization.
The votes come after Trump launched military strikes against Iran over the weekend, part of what administration officials describe as an operation to destroy Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and nuclear program infrastructure. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has indicated the campaign could last up to eight weeks. The conflict has resulted in casualties, including six U.S. military members killed in a drone strike in Kuwait.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has warned against limiting presidential authority while U.S. forces are engaged in active operations, calling such restrictions "dangerous." However, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, pushed for the House vote despite leadership objections.
The administration has provided multiple justifications for the military action, stating that Israel was prepared to act against Iran and that American bases faced potential retaliation if the U.S. did not strike preemptively. Trump officials spent hours this week briefing lawmakers behind closed doors to build support for the operation.
Even if the House passes its war powers resolution, Trump would likely veto the measure. Republicans hold narrow majorities in both chambers and have previously blocked efforts to limit presidential war powers during Trump's tenure.