US Senate blocks Iran war powers resolution in 49-50 vote

By: Rebecca Kheel

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said the Iran war has driven up costs for Americans, particularly at the gas pump. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The Senate has once again rejected a measure that would direct President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran, with the vote taking place as a brief lull in fighting appears to have ended.

On Thursday, the Senate voted 49-50 against discharging a war powers resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), would require Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from combat operations against Iran unless specifically authorized by Congress.

Key Voting Breakdown

• Republicans voting in favor: Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
• Democrat voting against: Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.)
• Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) — who has voted both ways on previous measures — voted against advancing the resolution.

Context and Background

Since the war began in February, Senate Democrats have forced near-weekly votes on similar measures. Only one — a nonbinding concurrent resolution — has successfully cleared Congress.

Despite the largely unsuccessful outcomes, Democrats argue that the repeated votes serve to put lawmakers on record regarding the war and increase pressure on Republicans as the conflict continues.

“I ask my colleagues, how many more servicemembers will we lose, how many more billions of dollars must families pay at the pump, how many more empty promises must be made from an out of control administration before this body finally acts?” — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, speaking on the Senate floor Thursday. “Under the Constitution, we have the power to end this war today. Let’s use it.”

Recent Developments in the Conflict

• Following several weeks of intensified fighting after a failed ceasefire, the Trump administration announced over the weekend that it was again pausing strikes against Iran to allow room for diplomacy.
• On Tuesday night, U.S. Central Command reported that Iranian forces launched multiple ballistic missiles in what it described as “an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces based in the Middle East.” All missiles were intercepted.
• On Wednesday morning, Trump told Fox News that the United States would “beat the f—-ing s— out of” Iran in response to the attempted missile strike.
• By Wednesday night, Central Command announced a “heavy wave of strikes” in retaliation, hitting “dozens” of targets, including military command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance and defense sites, and maritime capabilities.

Casualty Data Under Scrutiny

The vote also comes amid increased scrutiny of the Pentagon’s casualty reporting.

• Total casualties: 18 servicemembers killed and more than 600 wounded.
• Recent change: Last week, the Pentagon quietly updated its online casualty database, reclassifying four deaths and more than 200 injuries that occurred after July 7 as undefined “overseas operations” rather than Operation Epic Fury — the Pentagon’s official designation for the Iran war.

Recent Stories

• Release of Senate stopgap bill could slip as negotiations drag
• ‘How do we get out of here?’ — Congressional Hits and Misses
• Photos of the week | July 24-30, 2026
• Trump defends ‘weaponization’ fund amid Blanche confirmation drama