The U.S. Senate delivered a rare cross-party rebuke of President Donald Trump on Tuesday, adopting an Iran war powers resolution that had already passed the House and putting new pressure on the White House over its handling of the conflict.
The measure passed 50-48. Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul joined Democrats in voting for it, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted against it. Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick did not vote.
The resolution directs the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran. It does not carry the force of law, but its passage in both chambers gives lawmakers a formal way to register concern over the administration’s war policy.
The White House dismissed the Senate vote, with an official saying the measure had “no significance” and was driven by “Republican absences.” The official said “there are no hostilities from which to remove U.S. forces,” citing what the administration described as an April 7 ceasefire.
The vote comes as Republican senators are preparing to meet Trump on Wednesday, with several lawmakers saying they want more information about negotiations with Iran. The move adds pressure on the administration at a time when questions over war powers, congressional oversight and U.S. military commitments remain live inside Trump’s own party.
For now, the resolution changes no military order. It does show that some Republicans are willing to join Democrats in challenging the president on Iran.
