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Updated on: May 19, 2026 / 6:30 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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Washington — The Senate advanced a resolution to limit President Trump's war powers in Iran on Tuesday, marking a breakthrough for Democrats after seven failed attempts.Senators approved a motion to discharge the resolution from committee in a 50 to 47 vote. Four Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana — joined the bulk of Democrats in favor of advancing the resolution. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the sole Democrat to oppose. The vote marked the first time Cassidy supported advancing a war powers resolution. It came days after he failed to win enough support to advance to a runoff in the Louisiana GOP Senate primary, where Mr. Trump endorsed one of his opponents. And three Republicans — Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — did not vote, tipping the scales in Democrats' favor for the first time since they began bringing war powers resolutions related to Iran."Vote by vote, Democrats are breaking through Republicans' wall of silence on Trump's illegal war," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement after the measure advanced. "Today proved our pressure is working: Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to check him. We are not letting up." The resolution, led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, would direct the president to "remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force." The vote marked only a first step in the Senate. And even if both chambers approved the resolution, the president would be expected to veto it. But Democrats say the move would carry significance, and have the potential to change the president's thinking in the war.
