Senate rejects Iran war powers measure amid questions over secret deal
WASHINGTON, DC: As the efforts to limit Trump’s war powers continue on Capitol Hill, the Senate has once again narrowly rejected the bill to constrain Iran’s war powers on Tuesday, June 16.
The development comes days after the announcement of an understanding with Iran, resulting in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the beginning of nuclear negotiations.
Bill to curb Trump Iran war powers fails again
Senators voted 47-48 against advancing the resolution out of committee.
Four Republicans, Susan Collins, Bill Cassidy, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul, joined most Democrats in backing the measure.
Sen John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against it.
The vote comes as lawmakers continue to seek details about the US-Iran agreement, the text of which has not yet been released.
Under the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, Congress must review any agreement related to Iran’s nuclear program before sanctions relief can take effect.
Earlier Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had requested both the text of the agreement and a briefing from the administration.
The resolution, introduced by Sen Raphael Warnock, sought to require the president to withdraw US armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress formally authorized military action through a declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of force.
After 109 days of a failed war, and now a fragile, temporary, but welcome truce, will my Republican colleagues choose today to finally stand up to this president?” Warnock appealed to his colleagues on the Senate floor ahead of the voting.
GOP support for war declines
Republican support for the Iran conflict has shown signs of weakening in recent weeks. Last month, the Senate, for the first time, advanced a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran after several previous attempts had failed.
Lawmakers voted 50-47 to discharge the measure from committee, with support from the same four Republicans who backed Sen Raphael Warnock’s resolution on Tuesday, June 16.
The absence of three GOP senators helped Democrats secure enough votes to move the measure forward for the first time since the conflict began.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer later told reporters that Democrats wanted to ensure they had sufficient support before taking the resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine any further.
“We want to make sure all the votes are there before we move the Kaine resolution further,” Schumer said.
