Iran war powers measure falls short in Senate, despite new GOP support

September 24, 2026 / 2:45 PM EDT / CBS News

Washington — The Senate rejected a resolution aimed at limiting President Trump's war powers in Iran on Thursday, though the Democrat-led effort picked up one new GOP supporter.

In a 49 to 50 vote, four Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — joined Democrats in voting to advance the measure. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the sole Democrat to oppose.

The concurrent resolution would have directed the president to "remove the use of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, including potential ground forces in a combat role or used for occupation, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran."

The House adopted it by a vote of 214 to 208 in July. As a concurrent resolution, it wouldn't have been presented to the president for his signature and couldn't have been vetoed. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 allows Congress to direct the president to remove troops through a concurrent…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/