Senate Rebuffs Effort to Curb Trump's Iran War Powers

In a partisan vote, Republican senators blocked a Democratic-led attempt to restrict President Trump's ability to take military action against Iran without congressional approval. The move represents the latest chapter in the ongoing power struggle between Congress and the White House over the president's war-making authority.

The vote on the war powers resolution was 54-46, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance the measure. No Republicans joined the Democrats in supporting the resolution, which was led by Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia.

Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, said the vote showed that Congress was unwilling to reclaim its constitutional authority over war-making. "This is an abdication of our responsibility," he said.

The war powers resolution would have required the president to withdraw any troops engaged in hostilities against Iran within 30 days unless Congress declared war or extended the deadline. It was introduced after the U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the top Iranian general, in January.

The vote underscored the continued unwillingness of congressional Republicans to challenge the president on national security issues, even as some have voiced concerns about his Iran policy. Many Republicans argued that the resolution would have tied the president's hands and sent the wrong message to Iran.

The Democratic-led House passed a similar war powers resolution in January, but it was not taken up by the Republican-controlled Senate. The House could try to attach the measure to must-pass legislation, but it remains unclear whether that strategy would succeed.