Congress votes to limit Trump’s war powers, signaling growing concern for Iran conflict

Supervising Producer

WASHINGTON —

The Senate passed a resolution requiring President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before carrying out further military actions against Iran.

The House previously passed the measure. It’s what’s known as a concurrent resolution, meaning it doesn’t go to the president to be signed into law.

Trump criticized the resolution, calling it “meaningless” and saying senators who supported it are making his job more difficult in finalizing a deal with Iran.

The resolution, which is largely symbolic and does not have practical effects, highlights concerns from Democrats and a growing number of Republicans about the ongoing conflict.

The absence of two GOP senators prevented Republicans from blocking the measure.

Four Republican senators: Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy, voted in favor of the resolution. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted against it.

“The debate before us is not a question of whether the MOU signed by the United States and Iran is perfect, but rather the debate is about whether continuing the war would make things better,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland.

Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, expressed concern about the resolution’s impact on negotiations with Iran.

“The Iranians are going to simply stand up and walk away from negotiations. They’re going to say, ‘This thing’s over.’ The Congress has told the president of the United States, ‘Leave us alone. We can do whatever we want to do,'” Risch said.

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

The resolution’s passage comes as the Pentagon is preparing to ask Congress for $80 billion to cover the cost of the war.

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