Congress passes war powers measure for first time, rebuking Trump’s war with Iran
This vote marks the first time since the enactment of the War Powers Act of 1973 that both houses of Congress have passed a simultaneous resolution instructing a president to end military action.
A concurrent resolution expresses the sentiment or will of Congress, unlike other forms of legislation that are sent to the President for signature. In 2019, Trump vetoed a joint resolution calling for the removal of armed forces from hostilities in the Yemeni civil war.
Middle East analyst Laura Blumenfeld called it “more like a slap on the wrist than handcuffs, because it’s not legally binding.”
But he told the BBC he thought “it reflects the feelings of the American people.”
simultaneous resolution The transition is important because it increases the pressure the White House is facing to bring an end to the Iran war as oil prices rise and public opposition to the war grows.
However, a White House official told the BBC that with the ceasefire reached on April 7, there was no longer any hostilities that would require the withdrawal of American forces.
The official also said the measure was passed only because two Republican senators were absent: Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick.
Four Republican senators voted with Democrats to support the resolution: Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman was the only member of his party to vote against it.
It was the latest sign of division among Trump’s fellow Republicans ahead of midterm elections in November that will determine whether the party can maintain its slim majority in both houses of Congress.
Some Republicans have recently resisted the president, including rejecting plans to create a $1.8bn (£1.3bn) “anti-proliferation” fund and approving Ukraine aid.
Tuesday’s vote marked the 10th time Senate Democrats have forced a war powers vote since the beginning of the war.
This came on the same day that the Pentagon asked Congress for nearly $80 billion, most of it for war with Iran.
Federal law requires congressional approval for military actions to continue for more than 60 days. US-Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28, but the Trump administration argued that the ceasefire in April reset the clock.
The White House could also extend the deadline for another 30 days, citing national security.
Currently, the United States and Iran have agreed to maintain a ceasefire and are working toward an end to hostilities under a memorandum of understanding signed by the presidents of both countries last week.
According to that memo, Washington and Tehran have 60 days to negotiate a broader agreement to end Iran’s nuclear program.
