Senate Republicans blocked a war powers resolution on Thursday that would have directed President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran. The vote was 49-50 to defeat the resolution to discharge the measure, falling short of the simple majority needed to advance.
The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), aimed to force a withdrawal from what has been reported as a war that began five months ago. The conflict has raised concerns about energy prices and the depletion of key missile defense systems.
49-50
Senate vote to defeat the discharge resolution on the war powers measure.
A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) found that Patriot interceptor missiles dwindled from 2,330 to 759 and THAAD interceptor missiles from 452 to 234, highlighting the strain on U.S. defenses.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he has not been adequately briefed on munitions, indicating unease among some Republicans. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) stated that President Trump launched the Iran war impulsively without a clear set of achievable objectives and planning.
Growing discomfort among Senate Republicans over the expansion of the Iran war was reported, though the party largely stood with the president. The war's impact on energy prices has also been noted.
Updates
Republican senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul broke rank to vote in favor of the motion to discharge, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it. Additionally, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not participate in the vote, and the measure remains stalled in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The motion to discharge the resolution saw Republican senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul vote in favor, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not cast a vote during the proceedings. The resolution remains stalled in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following the failure of the discharge motion.
The vote revealed specific partisan splits, with Republican senators Collins, Murkowski, and Paul supporting the discharge motion, while Democrat John Fetterman voted against it and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not cast a vote. New Pentagon data confirms that at least 18 US service members have been killed and over 450 wounded during the conflict, with the administration now requesting an additional $80 billion to sustain operations beyond the $37 billion already spent. Additionally, fresh airstrikes were launched this Wednesday following the collapse of a June ceasefire and a retaliatory Iranian missile attack on a US base in Jordan.
The vote revealed specific bipartisan shifts as Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul broke rank to support the discharge motion, while Democrat John Fetterman voted against it and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell abstained. New Pentagon data confirms 18 US service members have been killed and over 450 wounded, with the administration requesting an additional $80 billion to sustain military operations. Furthermore, the escalation follows a Wednesday airstrike campaign launched in retaliation for an Iranian missile attack on the Muwaffaq Salti air base, marking a breakdown in the recent ceasefire.
The Senate vote marks the second time in two weeks that lawmakers have attempted to force an end to hostilities in Iran. While the measure failed to clear the chamber, three Republicans—Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul—broke ranks to vote in favor, whereas Democrat John Fetterman voted against the motion. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not participate as he remains on medical leave recovering from a fall sustained in June.
