The Senate handed President Trump another win on Tuesday. A Democrat-led war powers resolution intended to limit his authority over Iranian military operations failed to advance, falling one vote short. The motion to discharge the resolution from committee was defeated 47-48.
The headline of the afternoon centered on who helped secure its defeat. Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no, aligning with most Republicans against his own party’s effort.
The resolution, S.J.Res.172, known as the Warnock War Powers Resolution, would have directed President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran.
A House concurrent war powers resolution passed on June 3 by a vote of 215-208, though that measure is largely symbolic and carries no legal force to bind the president.
The Senate was where the outcome hinged, and it rejected the motion to discharge the resolution. The official floor tally recorded: Republicans voting in favor were Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul; Democrat Fetterman voted against. Five senators did not participate: Michael Bennet, Cory Booker, Josh Hawley, Mitch McConnell, and Bernie Sanders.
The timing of the vote underscored how disconnected the resolution had become from recent developments. President Trump had announced a diplomatic breakthrough on Sunday, including a 60-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Some lawmakers continued to seek additional details about the deal as they attempted to constrain the president’s authority.
