The Senate accepted the Iran resolution passed by the House as a symbolic rebuke of Trump
Washington – The Senate on Tuesday approved a House-passed resolution on Iran, marking the first time the measure has reached both chambers and reflecting unusual criticism of President Trump's handling of the conflict.
In a 50 to 48 vote, four Republicans — Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski from Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky — joined dozens of Senate Democrats in supporting the measure. One of the Democratic Alliance, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, opposed. Two Republicans – Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick – did not vote.
The resolution directs the president to “withdraw United States Forces from the war against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” unless Congress declares war or authorizes the use of military force. But the measure is a one-time, non-constitutional decision that does not require the president's signature, meaning it is symbolic.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to join Democrats in supporting the measure ahead of a vote Tuesday morning, previewing an effort to “re-put Republicans on the record as to whether they want a bad war on Trump.”
“Republicans can complain about Trump's war, his secrecy and his bad deal with Iran all they want behind closed doors,” the New York Democrat said. “But the only way to make sure this war ends once and for all is for Republicans to act.”
On June 3, the House exceeded the averagepresented by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Four Republicans and all Democrats voted against him, after three failed attempts to unseat Mr. Trump in Iran. The measure's passage also came after GOP leaders abruptly withdrew the vote before Memorial Day when it became clear they didn't have the votes to block it.
Republicans Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Warren Davidson of Ohio voted with the Democrats as they passed. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, who voted against the the previous three attempts failedhe also withdrew his opposition and voted for this measure, which made his party agree on this issue for the first time.
In the Senate, Tuesday's vote marked the 10th time Senate Democrats have forced a vote on war powers since the war began in late February, putting pressure on the GOP as support for the war has soared. In the eighth attempt, the Senate improve the decision led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia to limit Mr. Trump in Iran by a vote of 50 to 47. The same four Republicans who supported Tuesday's resolution simultaneously voted to advance Kaine's war power measure last month, while the absence of three GOP members favored Democrats.
Kaine's measure must go through more votes in the Senate before it heads to the House. The timing of the next vote is unclear, but Schumer said last week that Democrats are trying to elect more Republicans before moving forward. Tuesday's result could be the impetus Democrats need to force their next vote on Kaine's measure, a joint resolution, which would require the president's signature.
I final battle power vote in the Senate with a resolution from Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia failed to advance due to three absences among Democrats.
