U.S. Senate Passes Resolution to Limit Trump's War Powers on Iran, with 4 Republicans Defecting
On the 19th, the U.S. Senate passed a 'War Powers Resolution' with a 50-47 vote, aiming to limit President Trump's authority to wage war on Iran without congressional approval. The measure, proposed by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, received support from four defecting Republican senators, marking a rare bipartisan check on presidential power. However, the resolution must still pass the House and secure a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override an expected presidential veto.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 13:12
- 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 13:31 (19 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 13:37 (5 min after Collected)
(CNA, Washington, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The U.S. Senate today passed a 'War Powers Resolution' by a 50-47 vote, requiring President Trump to end hostilities with Iran unless authorized by Congress, marking a rare and stern bipartisan check on Trump by Congress. Reuters reported that the procedural vote to advance the bill passed 50-47. Four senators from Trump's own Republican party defected to vote in favor, while one Democrat voted against it, and three Republican senators were absent. This vote result is a significant victory for lawmakers who have long defended the constitutional provision that the power to deploy troops and declare war rests with Congress, not the President. However, even with this passage, the resolution still has to get through the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, and both chambers must achieve a two-thirds supermajority to override the presidential veto that Trump is expected to use. The proposer, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, stated that now is the best time for a comprehensive discussion before the U.S. re-engages in war with Iran. He mentioned that Trump is receiving peace and diplomatic proposals but is throwing them in the trash without disclosing anything to Congress. Trump's Republicans have blocked similar resolutions in the Senate seven times this year and have also narrowly blocked war powers resolutions three times in the House.