The U.S. Capitol on April 9, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
WASHINGTON – The Republican-led U.S. Senate added a sporadic public check to President Donald Trump’s agenda on Tuesday when it voted to approve a House-passed War Powers Resolution to end hostilities in Iran.
The Senate’s approval marked the first time both chambers agreed have agreed in a rebuke of Trump over his war in Iran.
The concurrent resolution that was adopted 50-48, does not require a presidential signature and its enforceability is an ongoing issue debate.
The Senate’s approval came against the background of the government’s peace agreement negotiations with Iran, which were criticized by both sides.
Four Republicans joined Democrats in voting for the measure: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska; Rand Paul of Kentucky; Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who recently lost his primary after Trump endorsed an opponent; and Susan Collins, who is waging a tough re-election campaign in Maine.
Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no. Paul and Fetterman have separated from their parties in several cases previous Votes on the Iran War Powers Resolution.
Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was recently hospitalized, and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania did not vote. McCormick was on a trip to Pennsylvania with Trump.
Debate about impact
Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, argue that War Powers resolutions are unconstitutional.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1983 against the validity of congressional measures that do not require a presidential signature.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Congress “defied Donald Trump and voted to end his costly, unnecessary and devastating war with Iran.”
“Let me be clear: This resolution has been passed by both houses of Congress for the first time and does not require the President’s signature. The message from the only branch of government with the authority to declare war is unmistakable: The Trump administration must withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities in Iran. Pressure is mounting on Republicans,” Schumer said in a statement after the vote.
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., who sponsored the original resolution that passed the House on June 3, said the measure was binding and that the president must “cease all hostilities against Iran.”
“Regardless of what President Trump says, this action is binding under the War Powers Resolution, and I will explore all legal options to ensure that the executive branch complies with the will of Congress. Congress never authorized this failed war, and the President certainly does not have the authority to continue it indefinitely without our consent, as the Constitution requires,” Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement.
The White House declined to comment on the vote.
The negotiations continue
Administration officials, who claim hostilities ended in early April, have 60 days to negotiate a final deal with Iran.
As part of a short-lived memorandum of understanding that came into effect during the talks, the administration said raised Its naval blockade of Iranian ports and economic sanctions on Iranian oil now allow the Islamic Republic to sell on the global market.
The tentative deal also accuses Iran of trying to demin the Strait of Hormuz and allow tankers and cargo ships to travel unhindered, while Iran and Oman develop a plan for passage through the narrow shipping route that carried a fifth of the world’s oil before the war.
Trump posted on social media Threats to Iran over the weekend as Iran’s fresh authority continued to impose certain restrictions on the Persian Gulf Strait Requirements so that ships can pass.
Thirteen American soldiers died and over 400 were injured in the war that the United States and Israel began on February 28. after to the Pentagon. Thousands of civilians across Iran and the Gulf region have been killed in the fighting.
