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Senate Rebukes Iran War
The US Senate passed a war powers resolution to pause President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran and seek congressional approval before any further action, voting 50 to 48 on Tuesday.
“The United States Senate has passed a bill to pause President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran and seek congressional approval before any further action is taken”
The BBC said the measure instructs Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek congressional approval before continuing military action, and it noted the vote marked the first time both chambers approved such a concurrent resolution since the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted.
NBC News reported the Senate approved the House-passed measure calling for an end to the U.S. war against Iran, with the resolution passing 50-48 as four Senate Republicans joined almost all Democrats in support.
In the Senate chamber, Chuck Schumer said, “For years, Trump promised to put maximum pressure on Iran, but he ended up delivering maximum confusion, maximum chaos, maximum cost to the American people with his disastrous war,” as the vote set up a likely clash with the White House.
Voices, Symbolism, and Split
The BBC described the resolution as largely symbolic because it “will not be sent to Trump for his consideration and does not carry the force of the law,” even as it added pressure on the White House to find an end to the Iran war.
NBC News reported that a White House official downplayed the Senate vote, saying in an email that it had “no significance” and that the resolution would neither go to Trump’s desk nor have any force of law.
The Hill said the measure directs Trump under the 1973 War Powers Act to remove U.S. troops from hostilities against Iran, while excepting elements necessary to protect U.S. assets or allies from imminent attack.
The Hill also reported that Sen. Thom Tillis voted “no” on Tuesday, while Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to join Republicans in voting against the measure.
Negotiations and Next Moves
Al Jazeera reported that negotiations are under way in Switzerland as the Trump administration and Iran discuss the terms of a ceasefire set out in a June 17 memorandum of understanding (MoU), while Israel continued strikes in Lebanon that critics said violated the agreement.
“Congress passes war powers measure for first time, rebuking Trump's war with Iran The Republican-controlled US Senate has approved a measure instructing President Donald Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek congressional approval before continuing military action”
Al Jazeera quoted Sen. James Risch of Idaho warning that if the resolution passed, “the Iranians are going to simply stand up and walk away from negotiations,” arguing the Congress directive would weaken Trump’s standing in Switzerland.
The Guardian said the resolution’s passage came as Trump dispatched JD Vance to Switzerland to negotiate a settlement, and it noted the measure passed the House earlier this month before clearing the Senate.
The Guardian also quoted Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, saying he would “explore all legal avenues to ensure the executive complies with the will of Congress,” as the conflict’s future hinges on whether the executive follows Congress’s directive.
