The US Senate has approved a war powers resolution seeking to block US military action against Iran, in what marks its 10th attempt to halt the conflict and a rare bipartisan rebuke of President Donald Trump’s administration.
The measure passed 50–48, following earlier approval in the House this month. While the resolution is largely symbolic and does not carry the full force of law, it reflects growing concern among both Democrats and some Republicans about the Iran war and the deal struck by Trump to end it.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Republicans had repeatedly backed the president over public sentiment.
“Time after time, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Trump and his war instead of the American people,” Schumer said.
He added that the conflict would be viewed historically as a major failure.
Americans had 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,” he said.
The vote saw four Republicans, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy, break ranks to support the resolution, while Democrat John Fetterman voted against it. Two Republican absences, including Mitch McConnell, helped tip the outcome.
The Senate move comes as the Pentagon seeks about US$80 billion (AU$110 billion) in additional funding linked to the conflict, amid broader defence spending increases and ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Republicans have also criticised aspects of Trump’s Iran deal, particularly a proposed US$300 billion fund for Iranian reconstruction. Senator Ted Cruz said: “I believe President Trump is getting very poor advice on Iran.”
The House passed its version of the resolution earlier this month, with bipartisan support despite opposition from Republican leadership. Senator Tim Kaine, who has led Democratic efforts, said the temporary pause in fighting offered an opportunity for Congress to reassess the next steps in the conflict.
Source: ABC.
