Senate blocks war powers push on Iran for fourth time

A US Senate effort to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war with Iran has failed again, marking the fourth rejection of the measure as lawmakers continue to push for greater congressional oversight.

The vote on Wednesday, which fell 47-52 largely along party lines, came at a moment of relative pause in the conflict. The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire last week, but follow-up talks in Islamabad have yet to produce a longer-term deal, even as both sides signal openness to further negotiations.

The resolution reflects ongoing tension over the scope of presidential war powers. Supporters argue that Trump bypassed Congress when he joined Israel in launching military action on February 28, pointing to the constitutional requirement that lawmakers authorise war except in cases of immediate self-defence.

Criticism of the administration’s approach has been building since the early days of the conflict. Trump’s warning on April 7 that a “whole civilisation will die tonight” — issued shortly before a ceasefire was reached — intensified calls for legislative constraints.

Speaking ahead of the vote, Senator Chris Murphy framed the war as a policy failure and raised concerns about the lack of oversight.

“We should not fail to note how extraordinary it is that our Senate Republican leadership has declined to do any oversight of a war that is costing billions of dollars every week, that has already led to the loss of over a dozen American lives, that has erupted a regional war throughout the Middle East, and is literally melting down economies all over the world,” he said.

Opponents of the resolution rejected that argument, defending the president’s authority. Senator Jim Risch dismissed the measure as repetitive and counterproductive.

“It says President Trump: ‘Put your tail between your legs and run.’ That’s what this resolution says,” he said.

“Not only does [Trump] have the right to do this, he has the duty to do this. He took an oath to defend the people of the United States of America,” he added.

The outcome once again underscores the partisan divide over the war. Only one Republican, Rand Paul, supported the resolution, while one Democrat, John Fetterman, opposed it.

Attention now shifts to the House of Representatives, where a similar vote is expected. While passage there is considered more plausible, any measure would face significant hurdles. Even if approved by both chambers, Trump could veto it, requiring a two-thirds majority in Congress to override — a threshold that appears out of reach.

A more consequential deadline is approaching. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must authorise military action within 60 days or grant a 30-day extension. If neither happens, the president is required to begin withdrawing forces.