WASHINGTON — For the seventh time this year, Senate Democrats tried to force a vote to end the Iran war. And for the seventh time this year, Senate Republicans blocked their effort.
But something else happened during Wednesday’s vote: For the first time, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) sided with Democrats, a shift from her past six votes and a sign of the GOP’s growing opposition to President Donald Trump carrying out a war in Iran with no clear timeline, mission or cost to taxpayers.
A Murkowski spokesperson said to expect a statement later Wednesday from the senator.
The Alaska Republican is now the third GOP senator to vote with Democrats to require Trump to get congressional approval – i.e. limits on what he is doing – before he can proceed with military operations in Iran. She joined Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
They still failed, in a 49-50 vote, to bring forward an Iran war powers resolution by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).
