Sailors observe an EA-18G Growler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, as it lands on the flight deck aboard aircraft carrier USS George Washington on Sept. 19, 2026. George Washington is deployed to the Middle East. (U.S. Navy)
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday failed to adopt a resolution directing President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran or seek congressional authorization for it as senators rejected the latest effort to curtail the president’s war powers.
The 49-50 vote marked the 14th time the chamber has considered a war powers resolution since the U.S. and Israel began bombing Iran at the end of February. The chamber previously passed two such measures.
Thursday’s resolution had passed the House in July and was non-binding, meaning it did not require Trump’s signature or carry the force of law.
Four Republicans joined with Democrats in support of the resolution, including Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina voted for the measure for the first time.
Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to break with his party, as he has done in previous votes on the issue. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., did not vote.
The failed vote came a week after the House passed a similar war powers resolution with the help of three Republicans who had previously opposed attempts to restrict military operations against Iran.
Democrats speaking in support of the resolution Thursday pointed to the climbing price tag of the war — estimated by the Pentagon to be about $42 billion — as well as the toll on troops, energy costs and munitions stockpiles.
“This war, which Donald Trump has said was worth the cost, keeps costing the American people more and more,” said Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J. “It’s cost us American lives. We’ve lost at least 19 service members, brave men and women, over 750 injured.”
Trump this week threatened to “annihilate” Iran if a deal to settle the war is not reached soon. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said Wednesday that the country is ready for a diplomatic solution but will not accept “the language of force.”
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., argued Thursday that the president did not have the unilateral authority to make a peace deal or destroy Iran. He noted that the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war.
“We’ve never had a president who talks like this, and we never should again,” Kaine said. “But it is not his decision; it’s our decision.”
The vote was likely the last chance for Democrats to put the Senate on the record about the war before senators leave Washington ahead of the midterm elections in November.