Senate GOP rejects Iran war halt 47–53 vote as Lindsey Graham, Chris Murphy clash over legality

WASHINGTON, DC: Senate Republicans blocked the legislative attempt on Wednesday, March 4, to stop President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, reaffirming their support for the administration.

The 47–53 vote on the war powers resolution effectively denied Congress the ability to mandate prior approval for further military strikes. 

Lindsey Graham backs Trump Iran military campaign

Many Republicans argue that the war is a necessary response to decades of Iranian threats.

Senator Lindsey Graham described the Iranian leadership as a "cult of death" and insisted that the US is not interested in running the country, but in removing the threat.

He stated, "But when the regime falls, and it's not if, it's when, the people of Iran will have a new chance, I hope, to start. I don't know what will happen, but I know it will be their decision. It's not our decision. America's not gonna go in and run Iran." Graham further detailed the history of aggression that led to this moment.

He stated, "We're gonna try to take down a regime that has been on our destruction. They've been building missiles 100 a month. The goal is to hit us. They've supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis since 1979 to kill Americans."

He concluded that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Quds Force are responsible for thousands of American casualties in past wars.

Graham also praised the early results of the current operation. He stated, "Operation Epic Fury is off to a great start. The Ayatollah and his inner circle are dead. They're dead because they chose not. To negotiate. There's no deal to be had with Hitler in World War II, and there's no deal to had with the religious Nazis."

Tim Kaine, Chris Murphy slam Trump Iran war

Democrats have strongly criticized the war, calling it an unconstitutional overreach that bypasses Congress.

Senator Tim Kaine argued that because the administration itself refers to the situation as a "war," the president is legally required to seek congressional approval.

Kaine said, "Members of the Senate, this war. The president of the United States has called it a war against Iran, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kaine, has called a war Against Iran. Secretary Rubio, our secretary of state, has called that a war. Against Iran."

He warned that the Senate was giving the president an "easy pass" around the Constitution.

Furthermore, Senator Murphy added that the war is already causing massive economic damage at home. 

"Six Americans have already died for an illegal war that no one in this country wants. 900 to 1,000 people in the region have died. US Embassies all over the region are under attack," Murphy added.

Murphy pointed out that gas prices have seen their largest one-day increase in 20 years, and natural gas prices have jumped 45 percent. He questioned the ultimate goal of the chaos.

He stated, "Prices up by 9 percent gasoline prices their largest one-day increase in 20 years natural gas prices up 45 percent the region is in chaos American consumers are paying the price and for what we still don't even know the reason for this war."

Pete Hegseth signals extended timeline for war

The Senate floor was unusually tense, with Democratic senators remaining at their desks throughout the vote to signal the gravity of the situation.

The conflict escalated rapidly after a surprise US attack which led to the deaths of six American military members in Kuwait.

While the administration claims the situation is under control, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the war could last up to eight weeks, longer than initially expected.

He also noted that while the US is moving toward total air superiority, Iran still has the ability to launch missile strikes.