WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a Democratic resolution that would have required President Donald Trump to end U.S. military hostilities against Iran without explicit congressional approval, marking the fourth such attempt this year.
The Senate voted 52-47 against advancing the joint resolution sponsored by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Democrat of Illinois. The measure sought to invoke the War Powers Resolution of 1973 to direct the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran unless authorized by Congress. Voting largely followed party lines, with Sen. Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, joining Democrats in support, while Sen. John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, voted against it. Sen. Jim Justice, Republican of West Virginia, did not vote, Senate records show.
Republicans argued the resolution was unnecessary given ongoing diplomatic efforts. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, Republican of Idaho, described the conflict as nearing resolution. Democrats maintained that congressional oversight was essential as the two-week ceasefire with Iran approached its scheduled end on April 22.
The ceasefire took effect on April 8 after the escalation of the conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February. It halted direct hostilities, with Iran agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. High-level U.S.-Iran talks held in Islamabad over the weekend of April 11-12 lasted more than 20 hours but concluded without an agreement.
Pakistan has continued mediation, with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir meeting Iranian officials in Tehran on Wednesday. President Trump has expressed optimism about the situation, stating in recent comments that the conflict was close to resolution.
The U.S. has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports during the ceasefire period. No immediate violations were reported on Wednesday.
As of Thursday, the resolution remained stalled in the Senate, with no further action scheduled. Democrats have indicated they plan weekly attempts to force votes on the issue. Discussions on a potential extension of the ceasefire were continuing through Pakistani channels, though details remained unclear. Pakistani officials have described their country’s role as a neutral facilitator.
