Senate Rejects Fourth Attempt to Limit Trump’s Military Actions in Iran
Senate Republicans maintain support for Trump’s Iran operations as fourth War Powers Resolution fails 47-52, with mounting American and civilian casualties.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate rejected a fourth attempt Wednesday to require President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for military operations in Iran, with Republicans largely supporting the president’s actions in the Middle East.
Senators voted down the War Powers Resolution by a margin of 47-52, following a similar partisan pattern seen in three previous failed attempts to limit Trump’s military authority in the region.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., once again broke with his party to oppose Trump’s military actions in Iran, which the president launched without congressional approval. Paul had previously sponsored one of the earlier Iran War Powers Resolutions.
Cross-Party Divisions Continue
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., remained the sole Democrat to support Trump’s continuation of the war in Iran, marking his fourth vote against his party’s position. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., did not participate in Wednesday’s vote.
The latest resolution was sponsored by five Democratic senators: Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Adam Schiff of California, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.
Senate Democrats have pledged to continue bringing forward additional votes aimed at reining in Trump’s joint military operations with Israel in Iran, according to statements made by party leadership.
Growing Casualties Mount
The ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Iran has resulted in significant casualties among American forces. As of Wednesday, Pentagon officials reported 13 American troops have been killed and 395 injured in the operations.
The conflict has also taken a heavy toll on civilian populations, with thousands of civilians killed and wounded across Iran and the broader Middle East region due to shelling from both sides of the conflict.
Previous Senate attempts to limit Trump’s war powers in Iran occurred on March 18, March 4, and June 27. The June vote came after the United States and Israel conducted bombing operations targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2025.
The U.S.-Israeli joint military operations in Iran began on February 28, according to Pentagon records, with airstrikes continuing through early March that damaged civilian infrastructure including police stations in Tehran.
