Senate fails to curb Trump's war on Iran even as Republican opposition grows

Source: The Guardian

Wed 13 May 2026 16.46 EDT
First published on Wed 13 May 2026 15.46 EDT


The Senate on Wednesday rejected the seventh attempt by Democrats to force an end to American involvement in the war on Iran, even as the ranks of Republicans opposed to Donald Trump’s strategy grew. The war powers resolution proposed by Jeff Merkley, a Democratic senator from Oregon, failed in a 49-50 vote. All Democrats with the exception of John Fetterman of Pennsylvania supported its advancement.

Since the conflict began in February, Democrats have repeatedly offered such resolutions, without success. But for the first time on Wednesday, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski voted in favor, joining fellow Republicans Rand Paul of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine. All other Republicans in attendance voted against it.

In a statement released after her vote, Murkowski said that despite the Trump administration’s claim of a ceasefire in the conflict, US forces continue to be attacked in the region, while also enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports. She also noted that 60 days have passed since the conflict began, and Congress had yet to formally authorize continued US involvement, as the 1973 War Powers Act mandates.

“The administration’s own position removes any justification for keeping our servicemembers in harm’s way without congressional authorization,” Murkowski said.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/13/trump-iran-senate-war-powers