Plumes of smoke billow from an explosion on March 5, 2026, in Tehran, Iran. (Photo: Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Republicans and one Democrat blocked another war powers resolution Wednesday night to stop President Donald Trump from taking further military action in Iran without congressional approval.
The resolution was not adopted, 47-53. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania broke with Democrats and joined Republicans in opposing the measure. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted in favor.
The vote came two weeks after a similar attempt by Trump to limit executive power lost in the Senate, and a day later in USA House.
The vote also came hours after congressional Democrats, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, he protested on the Capitol lawn against the war, drawing attention to the American strike on the first day of the war in which over 100 elementary school children died.
Booker leads the opposition to the war
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., one of the resolution’s main sponsors, said that “Americans are paying the price” for the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
Booker said Trump, whom he described as “cocky” about the conflict, should send Cabinet members before the Senate to testify under oath.
“Thousands of people have died in this war. In just two weeks, 200 Americans have been injured in this war. Thirteen Americans have paid the ultimate price for a war that we entered because of a decision made by one man. Overall, Americans are paying the cost in the billions of dollars a week,” Booker said on the floor before the vote.
Booker was joined by Sens. Tim Kaine of Washington, Adam Schiff of California, and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who sponsored the effort. One Republican, Paul, co-sponsored the previous armed forces resolution that aimed to limit Trump’s actions in Iran.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said there is “no end in sight” to the war.
“No more senseless wars in the Middle East. No more skyrocketing gasoline prices. No more US soldiers fighting and dying in endless wars,” he said on the floor just before the vote.
Graham defends the war
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a staunch supporter of Trump’s war on Iran, said he knows the economy is “tough” for Americans.
“I know the economy is hurting on the gas front, but I firmly believe in this – if we didn’t do this, the Iranian regime would be on the way to a nuclear capability and they would exploit it. They would eventually use it or give it to someone who would,” Graham said.
Crude oil rose to nearly $111 a barrel on the global market on Wednesday as Iran continues to block a major shipping route.
Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, rejected Democrats’ “dangerous and obstructive resolutions.”
“Dear senators, I call on you tonight to join me in rejecting this resolution, as we have done over and over again,” Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on the floor before the vote.
War Powers Resolution cutting off Trump’s military authority in Venezuela narrowly failed in the Senate in January, when Vice President J.D. Vance had to break a tie.
War Powers resolutions require a elementary majority to pass.
Year 1973 War Powers Resolution the law requires the president to report to Congress within 48 hours of troop deployment. If, 60 days after the first notice, Congress has not authorized war or enacted legislation related to hostilities, the president’s employ of armed forces shall automatically terminate.
Congress passed legislation to limit the president’s war powers despite a veto by President Richard Nixon due to the ongoing war in Vietnam. Congress rejected the veto.
