Senate Blocks Iran War Powers Push After Susan Collins Joins Democrats
The Senate on Thursday rejected a push to rein in President Trump’s war powers in Iran, voting 47 to 49 against advancing the resolution.
The vote came as Washington continues to wrestle with the growing conflict in the Middle East. It also came just hours after the House passed its own measure tied to Iran war powers in a 214-208 vote.
One Senate Republican, Susan Collins of Maine, crossed over and voted with Democrats to advance the measure. Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania went the other way and voted with Republicans to oppose it.
Two senators who have previously backed similar war powers efforts, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, did not vote.
The Senate resolution was led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. According to CBS News, the measure would direct the president to “remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.”
That language put the fight squarely on the question of who gets the final say when American forces are already engaged. Democrats argued Congress should have a stronger role before the conflict expands further. Republicans largely stood with the White House and against placing new limits on the president during an active military situation.
The House vote earlier in the day added more fuel to the fight. Four Republican congressmen joined Democrats to pass the measure there: Barrett, Fitzpatrick, Davidson, and Massie.
The votes came after weeks of major escalation. In late February, Israeli and U.S. forces launched joint military strikes against Iran. Earlier this month, a ceasefire agreement collapsed after Iran attacked commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and launched attacks against bases in Jordan.
On Wednesday evening, the U.S. military carried out its 12th straight night of strikes against Iran, according to the source report.
The cost has already been serious. The report states that 18 U.S. service members have been killed in action in the Middle East since the beginning of the Iran war.
For now, the Senate has blocked the latest attempt to force a change in course. But the close vote shows the debate is not going away. With American troops in harm’s way and the conflict still moving fast, Congress is likely to keep pressing the issue.