Center3 min read
Republican Resistance to Iran War Grows in Senate as Murkowski Breaks Ranks
Primary region US
Tags Policy · Security
Regions US
CBS News · Time · HuffPost·
Primary region US
Tags Policy · Security
Regions US
The Senate rejected a seventh Democratic attempt to limit President Trump's war powers in Iran on Wednesday, but Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted for the measure for the first time, joining Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). The motion failed 50-49, with Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) casting the decisive vote against it. The resolution, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), would have required Trump to seek congressional approval for further hostilities. Murkowski said the 60-day War Powers Resolution window had passed without sufficient clarity from the administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the administration believes Trump has all necessary authority under Article II to resume strikes without congressional approval.
Murkowski's flip signals growing GOP unease with the administration's legal justification for continued military action without congressional authorization. The one-vote margin, the closest yet, suggests that if the war continues through the summer, additional Republicans may break ranks, particularly those facing competitive re-election bids. The administration's insistence on unilateral Article II authority sets up a constitutional confrontation that could constrain Trump's options if he decides to escalate militarily.