Senate for first time approves a war powers resolution in rebuke to Trump over Iran conflict

The US Senate on Tuesday approved a war powers resolution seeking to block further American military action against Iran, marking the first time the chamber has endorsed such a measure as lawmakers increasingly scrutinise President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict and the administration’s request for additional war funding.

The resolution passed by a narrow 50-48 margin, representing a dramatic shift from previous attempts to curb the conflict. Although largely symbolic and lacking the force of law, the measure underscores growing unease among both Republican and Democratic lawmakers over the war and the agreement Trump struck with Iran to bring it to an end. The House of Representatives approved a similar resolution earlier this month.

Trump reacted angrily on Tuesday evening, describing the vote on his Truth Social platform as “poorly timed and meaningless” and claiming it had “provided aid and comfort” to Iran.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said: “Time after time, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Trump and his war instead of the American people.”

He added that Americans had paid the price for what he called “Trump’s historic blunder in Iran”, saying it would “go down in the history books as one of the worst foreign policy misadventures America has ever undertaken”.

In previous votes, as many as four Republican senators had supported similar war powers resolutions, and they did so again on Tuesday. Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana all voted in favour. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against the measure.

Trump criticised the four Republicans, calling them “losers” and saying they had made his job more difficult.

The outcome was aided by the absence of two Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who was recently admitted to hospital for an undisclosed condition. Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania also missed the vote, leaving Republicans short of a full majority.

The vote comes as the Pentagon seeks approximately $80 billion from Congress, largely to replenish munitions and military stockpiles depleted during the Iran conflict.

Trump to meet Republican Senators amid growing discontent

Trump is due to visit Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet Republican senators after Vice-President JD Vance returned from high-level talks in Switzerland aimed at negotiating a broader agreement with Iran.

According to one Republican senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Trump is particularly frustrated with members of his party who have criticised the deal.

The agreement, outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed last week, established a 60-day framework for negotiations on a wider settlement concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.

However, many Republicans have objected to provisions including a proposed $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran, a figure far exceeding the $1.7 billion returned to Tehran under former President Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear deal.

“I believe President Trump is getting very poor advice on Iran,” Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said on his podcast last week after details of the agreement emerged.

Democrats repeatedly force votes on Iran

Democrats have repeatedly brought war powers resolutions to the Senate floor since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on 28 February.

Almost every week the Senate has been in session, Democrats have attempted to force a vote, though previous efforts failed to secure sufficient support in the narrowly divided chamber, where Republicans hold a majority. Trump would almost certainly veto any measure with legal force that sought to restrict his actions.

The House passed its version of the resolution earlier this month, with four Republicans joining Democrats in backing the measure despite opposition from Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican leadership.

Although the House and Senate resolutions do not require presidential approval, their passage represents a significant symbolic rebuke of the administration’s military actions.

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, who has spearheaded Democratic efforts on the issue, said the current pause in hostilities offered Congress an opportunity to assess the next steps.

“The question now is: what should the next chapter be?” he said.

Pentagon seeks $80b for Iran conflict

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is on Capitol Hill this week seeking roughly $80 billion in supplemental funding to replenish defence supplies following the Iran war, a request likely to face scrutiny as many Americans continue to struggle with high fuel prices and the rising cost of living.

The Pentagon initially estimated that the first week of fighting alone cost $11.3 billion. Senators have cited assessments suggesting the total cost of Operation Epic Fury could reach $100 billion.

The defence funding request forms part of a broader military spending package sought by the White House.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticised the proposal, saying: “We should not spend another dime of taxpayers’ money on Operation Epic Failure.”

The Trump administration is seeking $1.5 trillion in defence spending this year — nearly a 50 percent increase — including $350 billion through a budget reconciliation package. Johnson and Republican leaders are pushing the measure through Congress without Democratic support, much as they did with Trump’s major tax-cut legislation last year.

The 2025 tax package also included a substantial increase in military spending.