The Senate voted 50-48 on Tuesday to direct President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran, delivering a rare bipartisan rebuke to the president’s military policy.
Four Republican senators joined Democrats to pass the concurrent resolution, which had already cleared the House earlier this month by a 215-208 vote.
The measure invokes the 1973 War Powers Resolution and calls for the removal of U.S. troops from Iran-related operations, except for military personnel necessary to defend American assets or allies against imminent threats.
While approved by both chambers of Congress, the resolution does not have the force of law and does not require Trump’s signature.
Instead, it serves as a formal expression of congressional concern over continued U.S. military involvement in the conflict with Iran, which began on February 28.
Narrow Republicans Defections Secure Passage
The resolution’s passage depended on support from four Republican senators: Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.
Also Read: Congress Revolts Against Trump as House Moves to Block Iran Military Action
The same lawmakers had previously backed efforts to move the measure out of committee and onto the Senate floor.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who had suggested he was weighing arguments from both sides of the debate, ultimately voted against the resolution.
Two Republican senators, David McCormick of Pennsylvania and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, did not vote. Both have historically opposed similar attempts to limit presidential military authority regarding Iran.
Among Democrats, only Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against the measure. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, a longtime advocate of congressional oversight of military action, led the resolution on the Senate floor.
War Powers Debate and Military Costs
Kaine argued that lawmakers had gained a clearer understanding of the conflict’s costs after the Trump administration requested $80 billion in emergency funding to replenish military stockpiles and support ongoing operations linked to the Iran conflict.
Also Read: Trump Draws Hard Iran Red Line as Congress Moves to Block War Powers Expansion
The resolution seeks compliance with the War Powers Resolution, a law enacted in 1973 to restrict presidents from engaging U.S. forces in prolonged military operations without congressional approval.
The vote came just two days after Trump warned that Iran must rein in its allied militant groups in Lebanon or face stronger U.S. military action. Iranian state media responded by accusing Trump of violating a previous understanding between the two countries.
Divisions Over Military Engagement
The House approved the resolution earlier this month with support from four Republicans: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Warren Davidson of Ohio.
Their votes reflected continuing divisions within the Republican Party over military involvement in the Middle East.
