Senate advances bill aimed at ending Iran war as Cassidy, after primary loss, flips to support
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed legislation Tuesday aimed at forcing President Donald Trump to recuse himself. Iran war, A growing number of Republicans have opposed the president’s order in a conflict that has dragged on for more than two months.
Since Trump ordered a strike on Iran in late February, Democrats have repeatedly pushed for votes on war powers resolutions that would require Trump to either seek congressional approval or withdraw U.S. troops. Republicans were able to muster the votes to reject these proposals, but Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy – fresh off a reelection bid. primary election loss That Trump supported his opponent and switched sides.
The number of votes of 50-47 is small but The number of Republicans is increasing They are ready to challenge Trump on the Iran war, even if the efforts fail to progress any further. Three Republicans were absent Tuesday, and if they maintained their stance on the war, their votes would be enough to defeat the measure.
Still, the vote showed how Republicans are increasingly uneasy with a conflict that shows no signs of ending, remains stuck in a fragile ceasefire and has caused gas prices to soar in the United States.
“Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to control it,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote. “We are not giving up.”
Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have previously voted for similar war powers resolutions and did the same on Tuesday. While Cassidy initially supported the legislation, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was again the only Democrat to vote against it.
After last week’s primary defeat, Cassidy returned to Washington defiantly. He said he is proud of his work to protect the Constitution and will carefully consider how he votes on the Trump administration’s various priorities moving forward.
Trump’s grip on the Senate Republican Conference is potentially slipping following Cassidy’s primary loss. President’s decision on Tuesday Supporting Republican Sen. John Cornyn’s primary opponent.
“While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark about Operation Epic Rage,” Cassidy said on social media.
“No congressional authorization or extension can be justified until the administration provides clarity.”
Parliament will also vote on war powers
Across the Capitol, the House is expected to vote on a similar war powers resolution on Wednesday, and Democrats are optimistic about their chances of passing it. Another war powers resolution barely failed in the House last week, with the vote ending in a tie.
Even if Congress eventually passes legislation that would force Trump to withdraw from the conflict, it is unclear whether Trump would comply with the law. To get around the requirements of the 1973 War Powers Resolution, the White House claimed that it had technically ceased “hostilities” with Iran because there was a ceasefire.
Trump said this week: ordered preparations They planned to attack Iran on Tuesday, but called it off to give Gulf allies more time to reach a deal with Iran.
“Peace negotiations are deadlocked, and so every day, grocery prices are going up, gas prices are going up,” Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in a floor speech. he said.
Lawmakers want more information about Iran war
On Capitol Hill, patience is clearly running out for a war that Trump launched without congressional approval.
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said he supports Trump’s decision to go to war, but that more and more Republicans are growing concerned about a long-term plan. Rounds said the administration may need to go into more detail on this issue.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 “provided a way for that discussion to happen,” Rounds said.
He said he doesn’t believe this is the right time to do this and that he would rather “stand strong with the president” at this point. “But I think some of our members might think it’s time to have a discussion.”
Earlier this year, Republican senators voted to advance a war powers resolution on the conflict with Venezuela, forcing the Trump administration to turn to Congress for a military campaign.
A handful of GOP senators required a final vote on legislation withdraw from conflict. Two of the Republicans — Sens. Todd Young of Indiana and Josh Hawley of Missouri — eventually flipped out after Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to hold a public hearing on the administration’s Venezuela strategy.
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Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
