Maps
Magazine

WORLD NEWS

U.S. Senate Blocks Bid to Curb Trump’s War Powers on Iran
Senate rejects effort to limit Trump’s military actions on Iran. The 53–47 vote blocks a war powers resolution requiring congressional approval. Tensions rise as Trump threatens more strikes.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-28
U.S. Senate Blocks Bid to Curb Trump’s War Powers on Iran

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate on Friday rejected a war powers resolution that would have curbed President Donald Trump’s ability to take further military action against Iran without congressional approval. The vote came just hours after Trump hinted at new bombing campaigns, citing concerns over Iran’s uranium enrichment.

The resolution, sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, failed in a 53 to 47 vote, largely along party lines. Notably, Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against the resolution, siding with Republicans, while Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky crossed the aisle to support it.

Kaine, a longtime advocate for reasserting Congress's authority in matters of war, argued that the U.S. Constitution grants Congress—not the president—the sole power to declare war. Speaking ahead of the vote, Kaine emphasized that his resolution was about preserving that constitutional role.

“If you think the president should have to come to Congress, whether you're for or against a war in Iran, you'll support this resolution,” he said.

Trump Threatens More Bombing

President Trump, in a fiery statement earlier on Friday, criticized Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced the suspension of plans to lift sanctions, and suggested that further military action against Iran remains on the table. He said he would consider bombing if Iran's nuclear activities posed a growing threat.

These remarks followed 12 days of conflict between Iran and Israel, which ended after the U.S. conducted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump declared those strikes had "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear capability — a claim some lawmakers, especially Democrats, challenged after classified briefings this week.

Divided Views in Senate

Opponents of Kaine’s resolution argued that the strike was a limited military operation and did not constitute the kind of hostilities that require congressional authorization under the War Powers Act.

“We must not shackle our president in the middle of a crisis when lives are on the line,” said Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican from Tennessee.

The resolution’s supporters contended that even limited strikes risk escalating into broader conflict — and that Congress must be consulted before further military engagement.

Although Kaine introduced a similar resolution in 2020 that passed both chambers, Trump vetoed it, and Congress failed to override the veto.

No House Support Expected

Even if the resolution had passed the Senate, it was unlikely to be adopted by the House of Representatives. Speaker Mike Johnson, a close Trump ally, dismissed the timing of the resolution, saying, “This is not the moment for Congress to second-guess the Commander-in-Chief.”

The debate comes amid increasing uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Iran relations, especially as negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program remain stalled and both nations exchange threats in the aftermath of the recent war.

 
Tagged:

Iran

Trump

USPolitics

WarPowers

SenateVote

TimKaine
Share News: