March 19 (UPI) -- Senate Republicans have blocked a Democrat-led effort to curb President Donald Trump's powers to wage war against Iran, as the nearly three-week-old conflict escalates and rattles global energy markets.
The Senate voted 53-47 mostly along party lines Wednesday night to reject a resolution that would withdraw U.S. armed forces from conflict with Iran absent congressional approval.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to join his Democratic colleagues and vote in favor of the motion, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only member of his caucus to vote against it.
"We do not have a king. We are a democratic republic with a constitution and no one is above the law," Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.Y., said Wednesday from the Senate floor before the vote.
"This president cannot take us to war without coming through this body. He is not able to do that unless this body supplicates itself before that man and surrenders its responsibilities."
