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The Senate is set to vote Wednesday on whether to block Donald Trump from using further military force against Iran without congressional authorization, as lawmakers from both parties raise concerns about the scope and duration of the escalating conflict.
The measure, introduced by Tim Kaine and co-sponsored by Rand Paul, would require the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress explicitly approves the military action.
The vote comes days after the Trump administration launched a large-scale military operation against Iranian targets, dramatically escalating tensions in the region and raising fears that the conflict could expand further.
Resolution Faces Long Odds
Despite growing debate on Capitol Hill, the resolution is expected to face an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate.
With Republicans holding 53 seats, the measure would need at least four GOP senators to join Democrats and overcome opposition within the majority party. One key potential swing vote, Todd Young, signaled Tuesday he would vote against the measure.
“The United States and our allies are now in conflict with a brutal, hostile, and dangerous regime,” Young said in a statement. “I believe that danger will only grow if we limit the president’s military options at this critical moment.”
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has also pledged to oppose the resolution, further narrowing the path for its passage.
Even if the resolution were to pass both chambers of Congress, it would likely face a veto from Trump. Overriding that veto would require two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate.
Concerns Over “Mission Creep”
Supporters of the measure say Congress must assert its constitutional authority over decisions that could draw the United States into a prolonged war.
“They have shifting goals, different goals all the time, different answers every day,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. “And I am truly worried about mission creep.”
Democratic senators emerging from a classified briefing with administration officials Tuesday said they were alarmed by warnings that the conflict could intensify.
“They told us in there that this is an open-ended operation that hasn’t even really started in earnest yet,” said Chris Murphy. “There will be more Americans killed. They refuse to take off the table the insertion of ground troops.”
Sen. Cory Booker added that lawmakers were not presented with evidence of an imminent threat that justified the strikes.
Administration Defends Authority
The Trump administration maintains that the military action is lawful and consistent with actions taken by previous presidents.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the president acted within his authority, arguing the strikes were similar to military actions ordered by past administrations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that no presidential administration has accepted the constitutionality of the 1973 War Powers Resolution, though he said the administration has complied with the law’s reporting requirements.
Under the War Powers Resolution, the president must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying military forces into hostilities and must withdraw them within 60 days if Congress does not authorize the action.
War’s Timeline Unclear
Trump said Monday that the military campaign could last four to five weeks but noted that the United States has the capability to continue the operation far longer if necessary. He has also declined to rule out deploying ground troops.
In a notification sent to Congress this week, Trump wrote that diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s actions had failed and that the threat posed by Tehran had become “untenable.”
A recent CBS News poll found most Americans disapprove of the war and believe the administration has not clearly explained its objectives. Roughly half of respondents said they believe the conflict could last months or even years.
Kaine acknowledged that his resolution is unlikely to pass but said forcing the vote ensures lawmakers publicly state their position on the conflict.
“If you don’t have the guts to vote yes or no on a war vote,” Kaine said, “how dare you send our sons and daughters into war where they risk their lives.”
A similar vote in June failed after the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear-related sites during a shorter conflict involving Israel and Iran.
The Senate vote is expected to be followed by consideration of a similar war powers resolution in the House later this week.
