US Senate votes to halt Iran war in latest rebuke to Trump
Experts say the issue remains legally disputed and is likely to be resolved by the courts.
The US Senate on Tuesday approved legislation directing President Donald Trump to end US military involvement in Iran, marking the latest congressional challenge to the Republican president.
The Senate passed the war powers resolution by a 50-48 vote after the House of Representatives approved it earlier this month, highlighting growing unease over the conflict with Iran that began on February 28. The measure also reflected concerns among a small number of Republican lawmakers, despite Trump's party holding narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The resolution represents the first time both the Senate and House have approved a measure requiring a president to withdraw US forces from hostilities under the provisions of the 1973 War Powers Resolution, commonly known as the War Powers Act.
Although the move is largely symbolic and unlikely to have an immediate impact, it delivers a notable political setback for Trump, who has generally enjoyed strong backing from Republican lawmakers.
The Senate vote was largely split along party lines, with four Republicans joining nearly all Democrats in supporting the measure. One Democrat voted against it, while two Republican senators did not participate.
Its practical effect on the conflict remains uncertain as the Trump administration continues efforts to negotiate a peace agreement with Iran.
Under the War Powers Act, the resolution does not require the president’s signature. However, the White House has argued that the measure is unconstitutional and therefore not legally binding. Legal experts say the issue remains disputed and could ultimately be decided by the courts.
"The executive branch will likely ignore it on constitutional grounds, and it’s not clear who might have standing to sue to enforce it," said Scott Anderson, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and senior editor of the legal publication Lawfare, adding that he expects legal challenges to emerge.
The House passed the resolution by a narrow 215-208 margin, with four Republicans joining all Democratic lawmakers in support.
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