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World
A seventh attempt by Senate Democrats to limit President Trump’s authority to wage war on Iran failed on Thursday.
A 49-50 vote in the US Senate on Thursday defeated a Democratic effort to restrict President Donald Trump’s powers to conduct military operations against Iran. The proposal, which would have forced a floor vote on a resolution to curb the president’s authority, failed after Democratic Senator John Fetterman broke with his party to oppose it. This marks the seventh time such an initiative has been blocked.
The resolution, as described by CBS News, would have required Trump to withdraw US armed forces from hostilities in or against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force.
The 1973 War Powers Act mandates that the president report to Congress within 48 hours of deploying forces without a congressional war declaration, and limits any unauthorized engagement to 60 days. As that deadline approached, the administration argued the law did not apply, claiming the clock stopped when a ceasefire was reached on April 7. In a May 1 letter to congressional leaders, Trump declared that “hostilities” with Iran had “ended.”
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said that after the critical 60-day window expired earlier this month, she had expected more clarification from the administration but did not receive it. She stated she felt the time had come to support the measure “so we can discuss our responsibilities” under the War Powers Act, adding, “We are in a different circumstance than we were the last time we voted on this.”
Since the conflict began on February 28, Senate Democrats have attempted six prior times to pass resolutions limiting Trump’s authority over Iran. Before the vote, Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley rejected the idea of suspending the 60-day timeline, arguing the war is “in a different phase, and it could flare up again.” He noted, “This would be the first vote where we look at this from that perspective.”
