Senate and House Reject Resolutions to End Iran War

The United States Senate and House of Representatives narrowly defeated separate Democratic-led resolutions aimed at limiting Donald Trump's military authority in an ongoing conflict with Iran. On April 22, the Senate voted 51-46 to reject a measure sponsored by Senator Tammy Baldwin that would have mandated the withdrawal of U.S. forces unless authorized by Congress. This marked the fifth failed attempt by Democrats to curb the president's war powers since the conflict began on February 28 with the assassination of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

On April 23, the House of Representatives rejected a similar measure in a 213-214 vote. The narrow defeat in the House saw Representative Jared Golden as the sole Democrat to oppose the resolution, while Representative Thomas Massie was the only Republican to support it. In the Senate, Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican to vote in favor, while Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose the measure.

President Trump announced an indefinite extension of a two-week cease-fire amid these votes, though he continues to threaten strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges unless Tehran accepts terms regarding enriched uranium and the Strait of Hormuz. Under the War Powers Act, the president faces a deadline by May 1 to obtain congressional approval to continue offensive hostilities. Failure to secure authorization would limit U.S. actions to defensive operations to facilitate troop withdrawal. Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have criticized the war as illegal and disastrous, pledging to force weekly votes until the conflict ends.