Senate fails to curb Trump’s war on Iran even as Republican opposition grows

The Senate on Wednesday rejected the seventh attempt by Democrats to force an end to American involvement in the war on Iran, even as the ranks of Republicans opposed to Donald Trump’s strategy grew.The war powers resolution proposed by Jeff Merkley, a Democratic senator from Oregon, failed in a 49-50 vote. All Democrats with the exception of John Fetterman of Pennsylvania supported its advancement.Since the conflict began in February, Democrats have repeatedly offered such resolutions, without success. But for the first time on Wednesday, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski voted in favor, joining fellow Republicans Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine. All other Republicans in attendance voted against it.In a statement released after her vote, Murkowski said that despite the Trump administration’s claim of a ceasefire in the conflict, US forces continue to be attacked in the region, while also enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports. She also noted that 60 days have passed since the conflict began, and Congress had yet to formally authorize continued US involvement, as the 1973 War Powers Act mandates.“The administration’s own position removes any justification for keeping our servicemembers in harm’s way without congressional authorization,” Murkowski said.One of the few Republican senators to occasionally break with Trump in his second term, Murkowski also said she would abandon an effort she previously announced – to introduce an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iran, which would be similar to what Congress approved following the 9/11 attacks and ahead of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.“Should hostilities reignite and military action resume, I will reconsider the introduction of an AUMF,” Murkowski said.“Until then, I will support measures to officially end hostilities and bring our men and women home,” she continued. “I will oppose any effort to redefine ‘hostilities’ in ways that allow the president to wage war indefinitely without seeking congressional approval as outlined by the constitution.”Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s Democratic minority leader, criticized Republicans for enabling the conflict, noting that several have said they would want Congress to authorize any hostilities that continue beyond the 60-day mark, a deadline which has since passed.“We gave Republicans yet another chance to vote with us, honor their words, and hold the president accountable. But they continue to bow a knee to Trump,” Schumer said.The Trump administration has argued that because the US and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, the 60-day deadline for Congress to vote on continuing the conflict no longer applies.