Republican infighting blocks US Senate bid to limit Trump's war powers on Iran

Three Republican senators joined Democrats in the US Senate on Wednesday to advance a bill restricting President Donald Trump's ability to attack Iran without congressional approval. The measure ultimately failed by a 50-49 vote.

This was the seventh such vote since the conflict began, and it drew the highest level of support yet. The vote exposed widening fissures within Trump's own Republican Party over the war with Iran.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman — a hawkish Israel supporter — sided with the Republican majority to block the bill.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski broke party discipline for the first time to support the War Powers Resolution. Susan Collins, facing a tough re-election battle in Maine, voted for the resolution for the second time. Rand Paul, a libertarian-leaning senator from Kentucky who consistently votes to limit presidential war powers, was the third Republican supporter.

President Trump has never sought congressional authorization to strike Iran, even though the US Constitution grants lawmakers sole authority to declare war. Since the conflict began, Democrats have repeatedly introduced measures under the 1973 War Powers Resolution to curb Trump's authority to send US troops into combat without congressional approval. The law was enacted after the Vietnam War to restrain executive overreach in committing the nation to armed conflict.

Senator Tim Kaine, a leading Democrat pushing for such votes, highlighted “progress” in Wednesday's ballot. “My colleagues and I have been continually pushing votes to stop the war on Iran — and we’re making progress,” Kaine wrote on X. “Today, our War Powers Resolution got 49 yes votes. My colleagues are hearing more and more from their constituents: End this costly and unnecessary war.”

Such bills face long odds in the Republican-controlled Senate and House, and would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump if passed. Still, the votes pressure Republican lawmakers to go on the record about an increasingly unpopular conflict.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released earlier this week showed two-thirds of US voters believe Trump has not clearly explained why the country is at war with Iran. Trump blockaded the Strait of Hormuz in response to US and Israeli attacks, sending oil prices soaring. Despite a ceasefire taking effect last month, Iran's blockade persists as no comprehensive deal to end the war has been reached. A US naval blockade of Iran has worsened the energy crisis.

The average US gasoline price has surpassed $4.50 per gallon ($1.18 per liter), up from under $3 ($0.78 per liter) before the war. That surge has fueled inflation across the US economy. On Tuesday, before departing for China, when asked by a reporter whether Americans' financial situation affects his negotiations to end the war with Iran, Trump responded: “Not in the slightest. The only thing that matters when I talk about Iran is: They can't have nuclear weapons. I don't think about the financial situation of Americans. I don't think about anybody.”

Trump's remark drew criticism from opponents, but Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday argued there was a “mischaracterization” of the president's statement. “Of course, the president and I, and the entire team, we care about the financial situation of the American people,” he said. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, and Trump's own Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, told lawmakers last year that Tehran is not building a nuclear weapon.