Republican senators reject bid to stop US strikes on Iran

The Republican-controlled US Senate on Wednesday voted down a war powers resolution seeking to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to carry out additional military action against Iran.

Lawmakers voted 53 to 47 against advancing the measure, leaving it short of the simple majority required to proceed.

The vote largely fell along party lines. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joined Republicans in opposing the motion, while Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky broke ranks to support the Democratic-backed effort.

The resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, aimed to require the withdrawal of US armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress formally authorises military action through a declaration of war or a specific authorisation for the use of force.

The vote marked Congress’ first attempt to challenge Trump’s authority since the president ordered US strikes on Iran over the weekend, a move that significantly heightened tensions in the Middle East.

Democratic lawmakers argued that the measure was necessary to reassert Congress’ constitutional role in decisions over war and military engagement.

During debate on the Senate floor, Kaine said the administration itself had described the situation as a war.

“You can’t stand up and say this is a pinprick that doesn’t lead to the level that would be characterised as war,” Kaine said. “Members of the Senate, this is war.”

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also urged lawmakers to support the resolution, saying many Americans were weary of prolonged military involvement in the region.

“Today, senators face a choice: stand with the American people who are tired of war in the Middle East, or side with Donald Trump, who bumbled America into another war most Americans fiercely oppose,” Schumer said.

Republican senators, however, defended the president’s actions, maintaining that Trump was operating within his constitutional powers as commander-in-chief to protect US interests.

Jim Risch of Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, argued the conflict would not become a prolonged military engagement.

“This is not a forever war, indeed not even close to it. This is going to end very quickly,” Risch said.

The resolution had been widely expected to fail, given Republicans’ narrow majority in both chambers of Congress and their previous opposition to efforts aimed at restricting the president’s war powers.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is expected to consider a similar resolution on Thursday.