For the seventh time this year, Senate Democrats attempted to force a vote to end the Iran war. For the seventh time, Senate Republicans blocked the effort. But Wednesday's vote marked a significant shift: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) sided with Democrats for the first time, breaking from her previous six votes. This change signals growing Republican opposition to President Donald Trump's conduct of the Iran war, which lacks a clear timeline, mission, or cost to taxpayers.
A spokesperson for Murkowski indicated that a statement from the senator would be forthcoming later Wednesday. With her vote, Murkowski became the third GOP senator to join Democrats in requiring Trump to obtain congressional approval before proceeding with military operations in Iran. She joined Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Despite this, the effort to advance a war powers resolution sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) failed in a 49-50 vote. The defeat was due to another first: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the lone Democrat to vote no, serving as the deciding vote against the measure. Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) was absent. A Fetterman spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Fetterman has consistently opposed Democrats' war powers measures, suggesting that critics of Trump are effectively rooting for Iran.
Growing Discomfort Among Republicans
Democrats plan to continue forcing votes on war powers resolutions, emphasizing that Trump needs to be restrained in Iran and that Congress is abdicating its constitutional role in declaring war. Republicans have generally argued that the president has the authority to act without Congress, though some are becoming uneasy as the conflict persists.
“Until this illegal war is over, Democrats will keep forcing votes to hold Senate Republicans accountable for bending the knee to Trump,” Merkley stated.
These votes are expected to become increasingly uncomfortable for Republicans. Public disapproval of Trump's handling of the war is rising, and GOP senators, particularly those facing tough reelection campaigns, must decide whether to defy Trump in favor of their constituents' wishes. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Murkowski's counterpart, faces a serious challenger in November. He voted against the war powers resolution, diverging from Murkowski.
Praise and Criticism
Ryan Costello, policy director at the National Iranian American Council, praised Murkowski for her vote. “Sen. Murkowski moved in line with the vast majority of Americans who want this war to end,” Costello said. He noted that Murkowski had directly asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a Tuesday hearing whether the administration needed congressional authorization to continue operations in Iran; Hegseth replied no. “Sometime soon, majorities in Congress will stop shirking their responsibility and order an end to the disastrous war,” Costello added.
Wednesday's vote was the first since Trump exceeded a 60-day deadline for acting without Congress. That deadline, May 1, is mandated by federal law: a president can send troops into hostilities for up to 60 days without congressional authorization, after which the use of armed forces must be terminated. Trump can extend this by 30 days by certifying in writing to Congress the need for continued force. It remains unclear if he has done so. With the 30-day extension expiring on May 31, Trump cannot proceed without congressional approval after that date.
Democrats welcomed Murkowski's vote as incremental progress. “Yeah!” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told HuffPost. “Bit by bit, we’re gonna stop this war.”
