US Senate hands Trump major victory: War Powers resolution to curb Iran strikes defeated

Washington: Senate Republicans on Wednesday handed President Donald Trump a decisive political victory, voting down a War Powers resolution intended to restrict "Operation Epic Fury," the administration’s ongoing military campaign against Iran.

The measure failed in a 47-53 vote that largely followed party lines. The defeat of the resolution, led by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., signals that GOP lawmakers are currently unwilling to check the president's military authority in the Middle East despite significant questions regarding the conflict’s long-term strategy.

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Partisan Divide and Defectors

The vote followed intensive lobbying by the administration, which held several briefings with Congress to justify the strikes. While some Republicans have previously crossed the aisle to reprimand the president, only Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., joined the Democrats in this instance. Conversely, Sen. Jon Fetterman, D-Pa., was the sole Democrat to break ranks and vote with the Republican majority to defeat the measure.

Democrats argued that the operation disregards congressional authority and lacks a clear objective.

"It's time for the president to keep promises, not break them," Kaine said before the vote, referencing Trump’s past campaign pledges to avoid endless wars.

The Question of Ground Troops

Senators also expressed concern over the administration's refusal to rule out the use of ground troops. Sen. Chris Murphy warned that the conflict could expand "beyond air and naval operations," while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued the administration’s "missing" strategy was evident in its shifting justifications.

Republicans countered that the president is acting within his constitutional role as commander in chief.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., characterised the War Powers Act as "an unconstitutional shift of authority from the President," while Sen. Markwayne Mullin added, "We don't need 535 commanders in chief."

Ahead of the vote, Republican senators met privately with top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan "Raizin" Caine, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

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A Nation Divided

Public opinion remains deeply polarised. A Fox News national survey found voters evenly split, with 50 per cent approving and 50 per cent disapproving of the strikes. While 80 per cent of Republicans support the use of force, nearly 80 per cent of Democrats and 60 per cent of independents disapprove. However, 61 per cent of all registered voters believe Iran represents a "real national security threat."

The conflict is now in its sixth day. The escalation began on Feb. 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Tehran has since retaliated with drone and missile attacks against Israeli assets and American military installations across the Gulf.

With inputs from ANI