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By Gabe Whisnant
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The Senate on Tuesday passed a war powers resolution seeking to block further U.S. military action against Iran, in a 50-48 vote that marked the first time such a measure has cleared both chambers of Congress.
The move underscores growing bipartisan unease with President Donald Trump’s handling of a conflict launched without explicit congressional authorization. The outcome highlights the small but consequential group of Republicans willing to break with Trump, as lawmakers weigh funding, oversight and the future of U.S. involvement.
Four GOP senators—Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy—joined Democrats to approve the measure, while one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted against it.
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A White House official told reporters after the vote, "This has no significance—concurrent resolutions do not go to the President and have no force of law."
In a post to Truth Social late Tuesday night, Trump lashed out at the four Republicans: "So, I have Iran on the 'ropes,' ready to go down for the fall, willing to give us practically anything, and for the first time in decades, respecting the hell out of the United States and its President, ME, and the U.S. Senate decides to have a poorly timed and meaningless War Powers Act Vote, telling the Number One Sponser [sic] of Terror in the World that the United States doesn’t like what I am doing to them, and I must stop, and by so doing has provided aid and comfort the Enemy. Four Republican Losers voted with the Dumocrats, and Iran asked my people, 'what does that all mean?' These Senators have just made my job more difficult, but I will get it done, one way or the other, because I always get it done! President DJT."
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Which Republicans Broke With Trump?
The four Republicans who voted for the resolution—Murkowski of Alaska, Collins of Maine, Paul of Kentucky and Cassidy of Louisiana—have repeatedly expressed concern about the scope of presidential war powers and the escalating costs of the Iran conflict. Their votes once again aligned them with Democrats who have pushed for months to rein in the administration’s military authority.
Paul wrote Tuesday on X, "Peace is preferable to war. President Trump deserves the opportunity to negotiate a lasting agreement that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon while avoiding another endless conflict in the Middle East. Diplomacy backed by strength is the right path forward."
Newsweek reached out to Cassidy, Collins and Murkowski via email on Tuesday evening for comment.
The outcome marked a notable shift after repeated failed attempts to pass similar measures, with Democrats previously unable to secure enough support in the narrowly divided chamber. This time, absences proved decisive: Former longtime Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania both missed the vote, denying the GOP a full majority.
The White House also blamed the vote on "Republican absences," in remarks to reporters after the vote.
Still, the margin underscores the coalition's fragility, with only a handful of GOP defections needed to tip the balance. Fetterman’s vote against the resolution further highlights the cross-party divisions on national security policy.
Meanwhile, a new national poll shows President Trump’s approval rating at 30 percent, the lowest in the survey’s recent tracking, as economic pessimism deepens and concerns grow over the costs of the Iran war. The findings come as both parties begin positioning for the 2026 midterm elections, where voters’ views on the economy and foreign policy are expected to play a central role.
Why the Vote Is Largely Symbolic
Despite passing both chambers, the resolution does not carry the force of law because it is a concurrent resolution and does not require the president’s signature. However, it directs the administration to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorizes the action, serving as a formal statement of congressional intent.
The vote is, however, a political rebuke of Trump’s war strategy rather than a binding constraint on military operations. Lawmakers in both parties, however, have framed it as an effort to reassert Congress’ constitutional authority over decisions of war and peace.
Funding Fight and Iran Deal Draw Scrutiny
The Iran war, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in February, is now in a fragile diplomatic phase after a monthslong conflict that reshaped the region. While a ceasefire and a recent agreement between Washington and Tehran have largely halted direct fighting, negotiations are ongoing and the long-term outcome remains uncertain, with tensions persisting over Iran’s nuclear program, regional security and enforcement of the deal.
The Senate vote comes as the Pentagon seeks roughly $80 billion in additional funding tied largely to the Iran war, including replenishing munitions and stockpiles depleted during the conflict. The funding request has intensified scrutiny from lawmakers already wary of the war’s cost, which early estimates suggested ran into tens of billions of dollars.
Trump is expected to meet with Republican senators at the Capitol as divisions within his party deepen, particularly over a recent agreement with Iran aimed at winding down hostilities. The memorandum of understanding signed last week sets a 60-day timeline for negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, a central justification for the war.
But some Republicans have voiced concerns about the terms of the deal, including a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said the president was receiving “very poor advice,” reflecting broader unease within the GOP.
Democrats, meanwhile, have forced repeated votes on the war since U.S. and Israeli strikes began on February 28, steadily building pressure on Republicans to take a public stand. With the House also approving the resolution earlier this month, the issue is likely to remain a flashpoint as Congress debates funding and the next phase of U.S. policy toward Iran.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Correction 06/23/26, 4:52 p.m.: In a previous version of this article, Mitch McConnell's designation in the U.S. Senate was incorrect.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward Cummins
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