US Senate approves bill limiting Trump’s military powers

The United States Senate advanced a measure on May 19 aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers by requiring approval from Congress for any future military action involving Iran, according to CNN.

The measure moved forward by a vote of 50 to 47. Democratic Party Senator John Fetterman joined Republicans in opposing it, while Republican Party Senators Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy voted alongside Democrats. This marked the first time Bill Cassidy voted with Democrats.

Bill Cassidy, a Republican Party senator from Louisiana, recently lost his bid for a third term in a striking defeat over the weekend after two primary challengers — including one supported by President Donald Trump — finished ahead of him and advanced to a runoff for his seat.

The vote to advance the measure followed the Senate’s repeated rejection of similar efforts on seven previous occasions. Several Republican Party senators were absent during today’s vote due to campaign activities in their home states, making final passage of the measure unlikely.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced in April that Democrats would continue forcing weekly war powers votes while the Senate remains in session for the foreseeable future.

Some Republican Party senators have stated that Congress should have a role in authorizing military action, or at least exercise stronger oversight. However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that most members of his party have not pushed for a formal vote on war authorization.

By Jeyhun Aghazada