The US Senate narrowly rejected an effort to limit President Donald Trump’s authority over military action involving Iran War powers, defeating a procedural motion that would have opened debate on legislation requiring congressional approval for future hostilities. The 49-50 vote leaves the measure stalled and preserves the president’s existing military authority.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the resolution to require the withdrawal of US forces from any unauthorised military conflict with Iran unless Congress formally declared war. However, the Senate failed to give the proposal the simple majority needed to advance it from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

More than 100 words into the debate, the Iran War resolution exposed divisions within both major political parties. Gillibrand argued that Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority over decisions to enter armed conflict. She warned that continued military engagement could place additional economic pressure on American families and increase the financial burden of prolonged overseas operations.

Wildfire Smoke Pushes Air Pollution to Dangerous Levels Across France and Spain

Following the vote, Gillibrand criticised Senate Republicans for rejecting the measure. She said lawmakers had chosen to continue what she described as a costly conflict instead of responding to public concerns over military involvement and rising living costs.

The vote also highlighted bipartisan differences. Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul broke with most members of their party and supported the proposal. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted with the Republican majority to oppose the measure.

Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell did not cast a vote.

Because the procedural motion failed, the resolution remains in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and cannot proceed to a full Senate debate unless lawmakers take further action. The outcome effectively maintains President Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran under existing legal powers.

The vote comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where recent military developments have intensified debate in Washington over the balance of power between Congress and the White House on decisions involving the use of force.