The Senate advanced legislation directing President Trump to pull U.S. forces from the Iranian conflict unless Congress authorizes continued operations.
The resolution, S.J. Res. 185, passed in a 50-47 vote, with three senators absent for the vote. Those were Republican Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).
Republicans who crossed the line to vote with Democrats were Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who previously voted against the resolution, voted “yes” to advance the measure. “While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” he said in a statement. “In Louisiana, I’ve heard from people, including President Trump’s supporters, who are concerned about this war. Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.” His vote followed his failure to gain enough support to advance to a Louisiana runoff.
According to the resolution, Congress “has not declared war upon Iran or any person or organization within Iran, nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for the use of military force within or against Iran.”
“The use of military force within or against Iran (including the enforcement of a naval blockade) constitutes the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities within the meaning of section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution,” it says, going on to call for the removal of “United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
