Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Resolution by One Vote Despite New GOP Support

The Senate on Thursday narrowly rejected a House-passed resolution that would have directed President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress declares war or authorizes force. The vote was 49-50, according to CBS News and ABC News. Four Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, voted with Democrats. Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no, and Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, did not vote, the outlets reported.

ABC News said Democrats needed full attendance and five Republican votes to pass the measure. Mr. Tillis voted yes for the first time, saying the 60 days allowed under the War Powers Resolution had passed since the administration notified Congress in July that military action against Iran had restarted. He said he wanted to be briefed to be convinced the war was heading in the right direction, and that the administration needs to “inform Congress more” and be clearer about its strategic objectives. The vote, he said, was meant to signal “it is time to engage Congress” if the United States stays in the conflict long term, according to ABC News.

The measure was a concurrent resolution, which does not go to the president for signature and could not be vetoed, CBS News reported. The network noted that administrations of both parties have argued such resolutions are unconstitutional and cannot bind the president. The White House called the Senate efforts “poorly timed and meaningless,” ABC News reported.

Several Republicans in tight races voted no even as they voiced impatience with the war. Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio, who faces Sherrod Brown, said the “war needs to come to an end as quickly as possible so that we can lower gas prices,” but still voted against the resolution, ABC News reported, as did Sens. Dan Sullivan and Roger Marshall. ABC News said opponents backed the administration’s approach of continuing the war without changing course, and that some Republicans have grown more critical of the war and its effect on gas and diesel prices but have stopped short of measures that directly challenge Mr. Trump. Majority Leader John Thune said there is “voter fatigue” over high fuel prices and encouraged candidates to campaign on their own positions, according to CBS News.

The Senate has now voted on Iran war powers 14 times, ABC News reported. The measure passed once, in late June, with Ms. Collins, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Paul and Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana voting yes after two Republican absences; Mr. Cassidy later switched back to no after a briefing with administration officials. He left the Capitol Thursday without commenting, ABC News said. CBS News reported that key Republicans shifted a day after the June vote following a contentious meeting with Mr. Trump.

Democrats have pressed the issue as the war passes six months with no end in sight and gas and diesel prices keep rising, CBS News reported. Mr. Trump originally estimated it would last four to six weeks, and it is nearing its eighth month, ABC News said. About 50,000 U.S. service members remain deployed, 18 have been killed and more than 800 wounded, according to the network.

The vote was expected to be the final chance to weigh in on war powers before the midterm elections, which are a little more than a month away. Democrats said they will keep pressing Senate Republicans, CBS News reported.