The U.S. Senate defeated a war powers resolution on Thursday by a vote of 49-50, blocking an effort to limit President Trump's authority to continue military action against Iran, according to Democracy Now! and other outlets.
Four Republican senators — Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul and Thom Tillis — voted against the president's position and in favor of the resolution, according to The New Republic. On the Democratic side, Senator John Fetterman voted against the resolution, breaking with most of his party, while Senator Angela Alsobrooks did not vote, according to The New Republic and Just the News.
The New Republic characterized the vote as allowing Trump to continue what it described as a $45 billion effort in Iran, according to its report, though this figure was not confirmed by other sources.
The Daily Caller reported that Republicans are growing worried about the Iran war, without further detail provided in the supplied material.
How each side covered it
Left
- Democracy Now! reported the Senate defeated the resolution by a vote of 49-50.
- The New Republic said Senate Republicans again refused to limit Trump's Iran war, citing a $45 billion cost figure.
- The New Republic identified Collins, Murkowski, Paul and Tillis as Republicans who voted for the resolution.
- The New Republic and other reports noted Fetterman voted against the resolution while Alsobrooks did not vote.
“Senate Republicans Refuse to Rein in Trump's Iran War Again” — The New Republic
Right
- Just the News highlighted Fetterman voting against his party on the resolution.
- Hot Air and The Daily Caller described the vote as the final war powers resolution before the midterm elections.
- The Jerusalem Post characterized the measure as a Democratic-led resolution curbing Trump's Iran war powers.
- The Daily Caller reported that Republicans are growing worried about the Iran war.
“Senate shoots down Democratic-led resolution curbing Trump's Iran war powers” — The Jerusalem Post
Questions readers ask
What happened with the Senate's Iran war powers vote?
The U.S. Senate voted 49-50 on Thursday to defeat a resolution that would have limited President Trump's authority to continue military action against Iran.
How did senators break from their parties on the vote?
Republicans Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul and Thom Tillis voted for the resolution against Trump's position, while Democrat John Fetterman voted against it. Democrat Angela Alsobrooks did not vote, according to The New Republic and Just the News.
Why does this vote matter?
The vote determined whether Congress would restrict President Trump's ability to continue military action against Iran, with the narrow 49-50 margin failing to advance the war powers resolution.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets like The New Republic emphasized Republican support for Trump's war effort and its cost, while right-leaning outlets such as The Daily Caller and Hot Air framed it as the final war powers resolution before midterm elections and noted growing Republican concern.
Sources · 6 outlet reports
- Democracy Now!Left-leaningU.S. Senate Defeats Iran War Powers Resolution on Vote of 49-50
- The New RepublicLeft-leaningSenate Republicans Refuse to Rein in Trump’s Iran War Again
- Hot AirRight-leaningSenate Shoots Down Final War Powers Resolution Before Midterm Elections
- Just the NewsRight-leaningFetterman bucks party again, votes against Iran War Powers resolution
- The Daily CallerRight-leaningSenate Shoots Down Final War Powers Resolution Before Midterm Elections
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningSenate shoots down Democratic-led resolution curbing Trump's Iran war powers