Republicans break ranks, but Senate fails to curb Trump’s Iran war powers
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- Senate vote on the War Powers Resolution failed 50‑49, falling short of limiting Trump's authority to strike Iran without congressional approval.
- Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Rand Paul broke with their party and voted in favor of the resolution, with Murkowski voting against her party for the first time on this issue.
- Democratic Senator John Fetterman, a pro‑Israel hawk, voted with Republicans to block the bill, helping maintain the status quo.
- War Powers Resolution saw its seventh vote since the war began, achieving the highest support yet with 49 votes in favor.
- Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this week found two‑thirds of U.S. voters think Trump has not clearly explained why the country has gone to war with Iran.
Why it matters: Republicans risk losing voter support as war fatigue grows, while Democrats gain leverage to pressure the administration; the failed vote keeps Trump's unilateral war authority intact, sustaining heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and volatile oil markets.
