The U.S. Senate for the first time approved a war powers resolution on Tuesday seeking to block military action against Iran, as lawmakers grow increasingly wary of President Donald Trump's approach to resolving a conflict initiated by his administration. The vote, 50-48, marked a significant shift from previous efforts, with 10 prior attempts failing to advance. While the resolution is largely symbolic and does not carry the full force of law, it highlights mounting concerns among Republican lawmakers in both chambers over both the war and the deal Trump struck with Iran to end it. The House of Representatives passed a similar version earlier this month.
Bipartisan Concerns Over Iran Policy
“Time after time, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Trump and his war instead of the American people,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer argued that Americans have paid the price for “Trump’s historic blunder in Iran. It’ll go down in the history books as one of the worst foreign policy forays America has ever made.” Four Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana—voted in favor of the resolution, while one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted against. The absence of two Republicans, including Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was recently hospitalized for an undisclosed matter, prevented the GOP from mustering a full majority to block the measure. Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania also missed the vote.
Pentagon Seeks $80 Billion for Iran War
The vote comes as the Pentagon is requesting $80 billion from Congress, primarily to replenish munitions and stockpiles depleted during the Iran conflict. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is on Capitol Hill this week to advocate for the supplemental funding, which has drawn scrutiny amid high gas prices and rising living costs for many Americans. The Pentagon initially estimated the war cost $11.3 billion in its first week, with experts projecting a total price tag near $100 billion. The funding request is part of a broader military budget increase sought by the White House, which aims for $1.5 trillion in defense spending this year—a 50% rise—including $350 billion through a budget reconciliation package. House Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leaders are working to pass the package without Democratic support, similar to the approach used for Trump's 2025 tax cuts, which included a $175 billion military increase.
Trump Meeting with GOP Senators Amid Deal Criticism
Trump is scheduled to meet with GOP senators this week as Vice President JD Vance negotiates overseas with Iran to end its nuclear ambitions, a stated rationale for the war. The president is reportedly displeased with Republicans critical of the Iran deal, according to a GOP senator speaking on condition of anonymity. The deal, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding signed last week, initiates a 60-day period to reach a broader agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Republicans have objected to a $300 billion fund to help Iran rebuild, far exceeding the $1.7 billion returned under the Obama administration's 2015 Iran deal. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said on his podcast, “I believe President Trump is getting very poor advice on Iran.”
Democrats Force Repeated Iran Votes
Democrats have repeatedly forced votes on the Iran war since the U.S. and Israel launched missile strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. Nearly every week in session, Senate Democrats have put forward war powers resolutions, but they previously failed to secure a majority in the narrowly split chamber where Republicans hold the majority. The House passed its own version earlier this month, with four Republicans joining all Democrats, despite objections from Speaker Johnson and GOP leadership. While such resolutions do not require the president's signature, their passage serves as a powerful symbolic rebuke of the administration's military actions. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who has led Democratic efforts, said the pause in fighting as Trump's team works to solidify a fragile ceasefire provides an opportunity for Congress to assess “what should the next chapter be.”
