Senate Holds Trump’s Iran Action in Check

The Senate fought back against a new bill that would force President Trump to ask Congress for permission before continuing military actions in Iran. The vote was 50‑49, almost split along party lines. Three Republicans joined all Democrats except one to support the measure, showing that some lawmakers cross party borders on this issue. The resolution was brought by Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon. It is the seventh time this year that Republican senators have blocked similar attempts to limit Trump’s war powers. Notable Republicans who voted for the bill were Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. In contrast, Democrat John Fetterman sided with the Republicans to keep the bill from moving forward. The debate comes after a 60‑day deadline set by a 1973 law that limits presidential military action without congressional approval. Trump said the ceasefire on May 1 ended hostilities, but Merkley argued that the conflict is still active. He cited U. S. blockades of Iranian ports and attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as evidence that fighting continues.Democrats insist that Congress must authorize any further military action. They argue that the Constitution grants war powers to Congress, not the president alone. Republicans and the White House claim Trump’s moves are legal under his commander‑in‑chief authority to protect U. S. interests. The bill’s defeat does not signal the end of the fight over Iran policy. Democrats plan to reintroduce a war‑powers resolution next week and will keep pushing until the conflict ends or Trump seeks congressional approval. The House has also filed similar bills, but Republicans have stopped them as well. This clash highlights a deep divide over how the U. S. should handle foreign conflicts and who gets to decide when war is declared.