Senate Republicans Block Democrats’ Bid to Curb Trump’s Iran Military Operations

Senate Republicans on Thursday defeated another Democratic attempt to restrict President Donald Trump’s military operations against Iran, maintaining party unity despite escalating American casualties and rising energy costs. The failed war powers resolution marked the latest effort by lawmakers to reassert congressional oversight of the conflict, which Democrats argue lacks proper legislative authorization.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., sponsored the resolution and pressed his colleagues to hold both parties accountable for what he characterized as an unjustified war. Van Hollen pointed to Trump’s March declaration of victory while American service members continue to die and fuel prices climb, questioning the logic of sustained military engagement.

Nearly all Senate Democrats supported the measure, with the notable exception of Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has consistently voted against war powers resolutions. Only Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, broke ranks to join Democrats, while Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rand Paul, R-Ky.—both previous supporters of such resolutions—did not participate in the vote.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., provided the decisive Republican opposition moments before voting commenced, reversing course from his previous role advancing an earlier war powers measure. Cassidy argued that immediate military withdrawal would be impractical, effectively sealing the resolution’s defeat.

The Senate’s outcome contrasted with earlier House action, where Democrats secured enough Republican defections to pass their own war powers resolution. Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., defended the military campaign by emphasizing Iran’s stated hostility toward the United States and its service members.