Senate rejects Iran war halt for fourth time as GOP eyes 60-day deadline

WASHINGTON — The Republican-led Senate voted 47 to 52 on Wednesday to reject a Democratic resolution requiring U.S. forces to withdraw from the Iran war unless Congress authorizes further action, the fourth time this year the chamber has declined to halt the conflict. The vote came as lawmakers from both parties acknowledged a statutory deadline arriving at the end of April.

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days of a conflict’s start — a deadline that will arrive at the end of this month. The law also provides for a potential 30-day extension. Lawmakers said they want the administration to lay out a plan for ending the conflict before those deadlines expire.

Republicans said they would maintain support for President Donald Trump’s wartime leadership, citing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the potential for ongoing diplomatic talks, and the risks of abrupt withdrawal. Democrats said the war is illegal and unnecessary, and vowed to force floor votes as long as the conflict continues.

GOP senators eye authorization vote

Several Republican senators said they expect Congress to vote on a formal war authorization if the conflict is not resolved by the 60-day deadline.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said the 60-day or 90-day mark will mean “it’s time to fish or cut bait.” He added: “I think that the administration would be wise to put together what would look like a well-founded authorization of military force and a funding strategy.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been talking with GOP colleagues about a resolution that would authorize the conflict beyond the 60-day deadline. She said last month that Democratic measures would hurt the troops by prompting an abrupt withdrawal, but that Congress should draft and vote on a force authorization “so the American people know the limits and objectives of this military operation.”

“There is no question that the president should have sought authorization from Congress before striking Iran on this scale, likewise bringing in our allies ahead of time as they now are equally in danger,” Murkowski said in early March.

Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said Wednesday he had reviewed Murkowski’s draft and provided feedback but would not share details. “I think we are all watching” the war and its timeline, Curtis said.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said he hoped the war would end in the coming weeks. “At the end of 60 days, I think we need to vote on a military authorization,” Hawley said.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a statement that the president’s power “is not unlimited as commander in chief.” “If this conflict exceeds the 60 days specified in the War Powers Act, or if the President deploys troops on the ground, I believe that Congress should have to authorize those actions,” Collins said.

Republican leaders noncommittal

It remained unclear whether Republican leaders would push for a war authorization vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said this week that most senators feel satisfied with what the military has achieved in Iran, but added that “they do need a plan for how to wind this down, how to get an outcome that actually leads to a safer, more secure Middle East and, by extension, a stronger national security position for the United States.”

Thune said the White House has not yet sent Congress a war funding request. That request, which Thune said could total hundreds of billions of dollars, will give Congress leverage to shape the conflict’s direction, he said.

Sen. Jim Lankford, R-Okla., agreed that the funding request will be “the big vote.” The central question at that moment, he said, will be whether Congress agrees to fund the conflict.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said Congress would not demand an immediate withdrawal once the deadline passes. “I want to see us achieve our objective in Iran,” Kennedy said. “And then I want to see us get out.”

Democrats vow to keep forcing votes

Democratic senators said they would continue pressing for floor votes as long as the war continues.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., an Iraq war veteran who lost both legs in combat, spoke before Wednesday’s vote. “As our troops continue to sacrifice whatever is asked of them, we senators need to do the absolute minimum required of us,” Duckworth said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that with gas prices climbing, “the American people literally cannot afford for Republicans to forgo another opportunity to work with Democrats to end Trump’s disastrous war.”

A House war powers vote was expected later this week, with its outcome uncertain.