US Senate blocks bid to limit Trump’s war powers on Iran

Republicans have once again blocked a resolution that would require US President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for any future military action against Iran, CNN reports.

The Senate voted 47–53 against the measure. Republican Senator Rand Paul joined Democrats in supporting the bill, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman sided with Republicans in opposing it.

This marks the second failed attempt since the start of the current US-Iran tensions in which Democrats have pushed for a vote on war powers related to Iran. Democratic lawmakers have pledged to continue forcing votes until Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deliver public testimony on Iran before Congress.

So far, the Republican-led Congress has not held open hearings on the conflict, although lawmakers have received classified briefings behind closed doors.

Even if the bill had passed, it would have faced significant hurdles on Capitol Hill: it would need approval in the Senate and then in the House of Representatives, likely followed by a presidential veto requiring a two-thirds majority to override.

The Republican decision to shield Trump comes after he sharply criticized five members of his party who supported an earlier war powers resolution on Venezuela. Of those five, only Paul again voted to limit the president’s authority.

By Khagan Isayev