US Senate rejects War Powers resolution to halt Iran strikes — 54-46

The US Senate voted 54-46 to reject a War Powers Act resolution introduced by Senators Murphy (D-CT) and Lee (R-UT) that would have invoked the 1973 War Powers Resolution to require a halt to military operations against Iran within 30 days absent Congressional authorisation. The vote was closely watched as the first major Congressional test of political support for the Iran campaign. 4 Republicans crossed the aisle to support the resolution (Senators Lee, Paul, Collins, and Murkowski) while 6 Democrats voted against it, giving the administration a comfortable margin. Senate Majority Leader Thune called it 'a clear signal that Congress stands behind the Commander in Chief.' Senator Murphy: 'We just handed the President a blank cheque to wage an endless war with no strategy and no endgame.' The rejection is legally significant: it removes the most immediate domestic constraint on the operation and signals Trump can continue strikes without Congressional interference for the foreseeable future. Analysts note the vote also narrows the political space for a negotiated pause — Iran can no longer wait out a Congressional revolt. The Senate will next consider a war funding supplemental bill requested by the White House for $48 billion.