Senate Democrats scored a procedural victory after several Republicans joined them in advancing a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s military authority in Iran.
The measure advanced 50-47 after four Republican senators sided with Democrats, including Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
Cassidy’s vote drew immediate attention because it came shortly after he lost his Republican primary bid following growing backlash from Trump-aligned voters.
Democrats have repeatedly pushed war powers resolutions in an effort to force Congress to debate and potentially restrict U.S. military involvement in Iran.
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The latest effort succeeded after several failed attempts, giving Democrats their first major procedural win on the issue.
However, the resolution still faces a difficult path before becoming law. Even if it passes both chambers, Democrats likely do not have enough votes to override a possible Trump veto.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump’s handling of the conflict, saying the president has not ended the war, reduced its costs or removed American troops from danger.
“Trump is no closer to ending this war, no closer to bringing down the skyrocketing costs and no closer to getting troops out of harm’s way,” Schumer said on the Senate floor.
Supporters of the resolution argue Congress has a constitutional responsibility to debate and authorize prolonged military operations.
Murkowski said lawmakers are now in a different position after Congress moved past the 60-day deadline to weigh in on the conflict under the War Powers Resolution Act.
“We’re in a different place than we were last time we voted on this,” she said.
Republicans opposed to the measure argue that limiting Trump’s authority would weaken U.S. leverage against Iran and send the wrong signal during ongoing nuclear negotiations.
The vote came shortly after Trump said he had delayed a major planned attack against Iran after regional allies asked for more time to pursue diplomacy.
Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, continued siding with Republicans against the resolution, backing Trump’s position on maintaining military pressure against Tehran.
The debate highlights growing divisions in Washington over the Iran conflict, presidential war powers and whether Congress should take a larger role in decisions involving U.S. military action overseas.
🚨 JUST IN: The US Senate ADVANCES anti-Trump Iran War Powers Resolution, 50-47, after RINO BILL CASSIDY and other Republicans joined Democrats — rebuking the Iran war
REPUBLICAN YEAs:
– Cassidy
– Rand Paul
– Lisa Murkowski
– Susan CollinsFETTERMAN sided with Trump.
The 8TH… pic.twitter.com/UvnWA9X6Xc
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 19, 2026
