Congress splits on war powers resolutions to force Trump to abandon Iran war

Published Jul 23, 05:00 PM UTC

On July 23, 2026, Congress split along party lines on two war powers resolutions aimed at forcing President Donald Trump to end hostilities with Iran, as the conflict escalates into a deadly new phase and oil prices top $100 a barrel. The Senate voted 47-49 to kill a joint resolution under the War Powers Act that would have compelled Trump to end the war, with Republican Senator Susan Collins voting in favor and Democrat John Fetterman opposing. Earlier, the House passed a non-binding concurrent resolution 214-208 expressing congressional disapproval. The votes came after Trump informed Congress he restarted the war following the breakdown of peace negotiations, just months before U.S. midterm elections. Even if Congress passed binding legislation, Trump would almost certainly veto it. The conflict has spiked oil prices, with Brent crude topping $100 and U.S. gas prices averaging $4.09 per gallon.