In a largely symbolic reprimand, Senate Democrats succeeded on Tuesday in forcing through a resolution to end the war with Iran.Tuesday’s vote was the 10th such effort from Senate Democrats, a near-weekly occurrence. The measure passed this time because of the support of Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO). Bennet had missed previous votes to campaign for Colorado governor.“We have forced this fight on the floor again and again and again for more than 100 days because only Congress has the power to take our nation to war, not Trump alone,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said ahead of the vote.
The vote was 50-48, with four Republicans joining all but one Democrat in supporting the resolution. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), a vocal hawk on Iran, was the sole Democrat to oppose the resolution.TRUMP SAYS ‘THERE WILL BE NO TOLLS’ IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ DURING OR AFTER 60-DAY CEASEFIRERepublican Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Rand Paul (R-KY) defected from their party line in supporting the resolution, just as they had during the last attempt. Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) missed the vote.So-called concurrent resolutions do not go to the president’s desk for a signature, and they lack enforceable mechanisms. Yet the vote highlights dissent within Republican ranks over the war, especially after President Donald Trump unveiled a deal to end it that many saw as unsatisfactory.
