The Senate on Tuesday voted to cut off the U.S. military campaign against Iran, handing a fresh loss to President Donald Trump despite his attempts to convince lawmakers and the public that a deal to end the war is at hand.
Four Republicans broke ranks to help approve a resolution to block further military action unless it is green-lighted by Congress.
The war powers measure is largely symbolic — the resolution cleared Tuesday doesn’t go to the president to sign or veto. But the bipartisan 50-48 vote is a damaging milestone for the Trump administration: Both the Senate and House have now weighed in against the Middle East conflict that’s stretched on for more than 100 days. The same measure passed the House in early June after months of close calls.
The successful vote came on the 10th attempt by the Senate to rein in Trump.
Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky sided with Democrats in support of the measure. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania opposed it.
The defeat for Trump was partly fueled by GOP absences. If Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Penn.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who was hospitalized earlier this month, hadn’t missed the vote, it could have been defeated in a 50-50 tie.
The legislation is unlikely to impact the course of the conflict. The measure cleared by both chambers is a concurrent resolution, which will not go to Trump for his signature or veto, and therefore lacks the force of law. The Supreme Court has ruled against measures that negate executive actions that aren’t subject to presidential signature or veto.
And Trump would almost certainly veto any binding legislation that restricts his authority. The Senate last month advanced a joint resolution to end the war, though Democratic advocates haven’t yet pressed for another vote on the measure.
The anti-war vote also signals continued dissatisfaction with the administration’s strategy as it attempts to secure a lasting peace deal after inking a memorandum of understanding with Iran last week.
Vice President JD Vance was dispatched to Switzerland this weekend to lead talks with Iranian officials on the country’s nuclear program. Both Vance and Trump have said Iran agreed to allow nuclear inspectors into the country, but Tehran denied it made such a concession.
Ahead of the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed they “will keep forcing” votes on the war and harangued Trump’s deal as a giveaway to Tehran.
“Trump gave Iran everything, their terrorist proxies, their control over the Strait [of Hormuz], their oil revenues,” Schumer said. “And it’s still unclear what we’ve gotten in return.”
On Capitol Hill, Trump faces plenty of resistance from fellow Republicans over the contours memorandum of understanding, including criticism from top defense hawks such as Senate Armed Services Chair Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who have raised concerns about a $300 billion reconstruction fund and Iran’s ability to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels.
Trump is set to speak at Senate Republicans’ lunch Wednesday and will likely press skeptical senators on his plan.
“I think anybody that’s been critical of it has to be educated, even if they’re friends of mine,” Trump told reporters of his message to GOP critics of the deal.







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