The United States Senate is set to vote Wednesday on a resolution seeking to curb President Donald Trump authority to continue military strikes against Iran. The move marks the first major congressional test of support for a conflict launched without explicit approval from lawmakers.
The bipartisan resolution was introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and Republican Senator Rand Paul. It would require the withdrawal of US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress formally authorizes the military campaign.
However, with Republicans holding a 53 to 47 majority in the Senate and largely backing the president’s decision to coordinate strikes with Israel, the measure is widely expected to fail.
The vote comes five days into an expanding regional conflict that has reportedly ed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several senior officials in Tehran. US troops have also been ed in retaliatory Iranian strikes, including a drone on an American base in Kuwait.
Democrats argue that Trump bypassed Congress in violation of the Constitution when he ordered the air campaign. Kaine said that during a classified briefing from administration officials, lawmakers were not presented with evidence showing an imminent threat from Iran to the United States.
Some Republicans have voiced firm support for the president. Senator Lindsey Graham defended the military action, citing past s linked to Iran that ed or injured American personnel. Still, a few members of the party have suggested their backing could weaken if the conflict drags on or expands further.
For the resolution to pass, Democrats would need at least four additional Republicans to join Paul, assuming full attendance. At least one Democrat, Senator John Fetterman, has already said he will oppose the measure.
Even if the resolution were to clear both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Trump could veto it. Overriding a veto would require a two thirds majority in both chambers, a threshold considered highly unlikely.
The resolution invokes the War Powers Act, passed after the Vietnam War, which limits unauthorized military engagements to 60 days without congressional approval.
As global governments scramble to evacuate citizens from cities such as Dubai and Riyadh, debate continues in Washington over the scope and duration of US involvement. Administration officials have indicated the operation could last weeks and may require additional funding to sustain it.
While Democrats acknowledge the steep odds of passage, they argue that forcing lawmakers to take a public stand on the conflict is a critical exercise of congressional oversight.
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