GOP Divided on Iran War Power as Deadline Hits
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- Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, and John Curtis say Congress must vote to authorize the Iran war if Trump doesn't begin winding down operations next month, breaking with party leaders who want to avoid the vote.
- John Thune and Foreign Relations Chair James Risch have no plans to bring a war authorization resolution to the floor, with Thune saying it would be "ideal" if the Trump administration and Iran can reach a peace deal soon.
- Senate Republicans voted for a fifth time Wednesday to block a Democratic war powers resolution to stop Trump's military action, with Rand Paul the lone GOP vote to curtail Trump's authority — but more Republicans could break ranks as the conflict drags into May.
- Susan Collins said she won't support extending hostilities beyond 60 days "except for wind-down activities," and Curtis is having conversations about a force authorization measure after the 90-day War Powers window expires.
- Under the 1973 War Powers Act, the president must limit troop engagement to 60 days unless Congress authorizes operations, with an additional 30 days to withdraw; Tuesday marks the 60th day since the US and Israel launched initial strikes on Feb. 28.
- Trump this week extended the Iran ceasefire, while Senate Republicans privately worry about the war's impact on gas prices and costs of essential goods like fertilizer, with Thune juggling caucus concerns about voting on an unpopular conflict before midterms.
Why it matters: The GOP's internal split comes as Tuesday marks the 60th day of the conflict, forcing Republican senators to weigh voting to authorize an unpopular war just months before midterms. With Thune citing concerns over gas prices and fertilizer costs, leadership's reluctance to schedule a vote shows the war's political toll is now reshaping even intra-Republican dynamics, with the 90-day window approaching as the next pressure point.
