The Senate on Tuesday approved a House-passed war powers resolution to end hostilities with Iran in a symbolic rebuke of President Trump’s handling of the conflict as he tries to negotiate a lasting peace deal.
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The 50-48 vote – the tenth time Democrats have forced on the matter since Mr. Trump went to war to permanently end Iran’s nuclear program – succeeded because ot the absence of two Republican senators who would have voted against the war powers measure.
Taking advantage of Kentucky GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell’s absence this week as he recovers from an unspecified medical issue, Senate Democrats brought up the war powers resolution that passed the House earlier this month, knowing they would have a majority to approve it.
Sen. David McCormick, Pennsylvania Republican, also missed the vote while traveling with the president to his home state for a factory visit and remarks on the economy.
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In bringing up the House-passed war powers resolution, Democrats were able to skirt procedural votes needed to advance Senate versions and hold an up-or-down vote on whether to end hostilities with Iran.
However, the House-passed measure the Senate cleared is a concurrent resolution that does not carry the force of law and does not go to Mr. Trump’s desk for signature. The president would have vetoed it if it did.
Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky voted with Senate Democrats in support of the measure.
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Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat voting in opposition.
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