4 Republicans vote against Trump to advance resolution curbing Iran war powers

The U.S. Senate advanced a war-powers resolution on Tuesday, with a 50-47 vote that saw four Republican senators—Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy—align with Democrats to curb President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran. The procedural vote, which passed despite Trump’s opposition, requires Congress to authorize further military engagement or risk termination of hostilities under a 1973 law limiting presidential war powers to 60 days without congressional approval. The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, argues Trump has ignored constitutional war-declaration powers by rejecting Iranian ceasefire proposals without consulting Congress. Kaine criticized Trump for dismissing diplomatic overtures while continuing U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which began on February 28. Despite Trump’s May 1 declaration that hostilities had ended, the U.S. has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports and targeted Iranian ships, while Iran has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The vote marks a shift from earlier resistance, as Republicans had blocked seven similar Senate resolutions and three House measures this year. Only one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, opposed the measure. The resolution now faces near-certain defeat in the Republican-led House and a likely Trump veto, requiring two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override. Trump and his allies argue his actions are legally justified under commander-in-chief authority to protect U.S. interests, while critics claim he bypassed Congress. Some Republicans accuse Democrats of exploiting the issue for partisan gain, though supporters insist the vote upholds constitutional checks on executive power. The Senate’s second war-powers vote since the May 1 deadline underscores growing tensions over Trump’s handling of the conflict.