U.S. Senate Again Refuses to Limit Trump's Powers on Iran 0 13

Fifty senators voted against the resolution, while 49 voted in favor. Republicans Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski supported the Democrats, while Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against it.

The document, prepared by Senator Jeff Merkley, called for the withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from combat operations in Iran unless such actions are authorized by Congress. Since the conflict began on February 28, Democrats have attempted to advance similar resolutions six times; until the last vote, Paul remained the only Republican supporting the initiative.

According to the War Powers Act of 1973, the president must cease military operations after 60 days unless Congress votes to declare war or passes a law authorizing the use of force. As the deadline approached, the administration stated that the provision does not apply since the countdown ends after the ceasefire on April 7. In a letter to congressional leaders on May 1, Trump stated that "combat operations" with Iran have "ceased."

Democrats contest this position. Merkley told reporters before the vote that he does not accept the argument regarding the suspension of the 60-day deadline, noting that the war "is at a different stage and could flare up again."

Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Jim Risch supported the White House's position, stating that "the combat operations mentioned in the resolution are currently absent." Senator Tim Kaine, one of the initiators of the restrictions, called the vote a test for Republicans regarding their "consistency" on the role of Congress.

In the editorial's view, the Senate vote demonstrated that the issue of presidential powers in military affairs remains one of the most contentious in American politics. Despite the formal cessation of active conflict, disputes over the boundaries of the White House's authority and congressional oversight continue to intensify.