Senate defeats 7th attempt to limit Trump's Iran war powers, despite new GOP defection
The 49-50 vote marked the latest Democratic effort to curb war powers as Lisa Murkowski joined two other Republicans in support.
- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the U.S. Senate narrowly defeated a resolution aimed at curbing President Trump's military authority in Iran, marking the seventh failed attempt by Democrats since the conflict began in February.
- The motion to discharge the resolution failed by a narrow 49-50 margin. Despite the loss, the vote represented the closest challenge to the President's war powers yet, reflecting growing anxiety in Congress over the conflict's legal status.
- Senator Lisa Murkowski joined the Democratic-led effort for the first time, breaking from her previous opposition. She stated that after the 60-day legal window for congressional authorization expired in early May, she expected "more clarity" from the administration but felt it was now time to discuss Congress's constitutional responsibilities.
- Murkowski joined longtime Republican dissenters Rand Paul and Susan Collins in voting to advance the measure. Conversely, Senator John Fetterman remained the sole Democrat to vote against the resolution, maintaining his consistent support for the administration’s military stance.
- Democrats argue that the President is in "clear violation" of the War Powers Resolution of 1973 because the 60-day deadline for authorization passed on May 1. The White House continues to dispute this, arguing that the "clock was paused" because the current ceasefire technically terminated active hostilities.
102 Articles
102 Articles
Senate Rejects Iran War Powers Measure 49-50 as Lisa Murkowski Breaks Ranks for the First Time
The Senate rejected a motion to advance a joint resolution on Iran war powers Wednesday, but the 49-50 vote was the narrowest margin yet on the issue, and it came with a new Republican defection. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted yes on the discharge motion after opposing prior versions of the measure. She joined Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine as the only Republicans siding with the Democratic majority on S.J.Res.…
The war with Iran has become one of the most sensitive issues of Trump’s second term, especially for rising energy prices
Fetterman Cast The Deciding Vote Against Reining In Trump’s Iran War
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted again on an attempt to halt Donald Trump’s war against Iran. It was the seventh such Democratic attempt. All have been blocked by Republicans. But this time, it was “Democratic” Sen. John Fetterman who killed the measure. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has now joined fellow Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Rand Paul to stop the war. Politico said about the situation, “Republican divisions over the Iran war deepened … s…
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