The US Capitol in Washington, DC, US on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Eric Lee | Bloomberg | getty images
The Senate on Tuesday introduced a resolution to block military action in Iran after the surprise defection of Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s war efforts.
The vote, though preliminary, shows the Senate may now have the votes to force Trump to withdraw troops from Iran or seek congressional approval for additional action.
Despite the war powers resolution being passed by 50-47, it still has little chance of becoming law. It would need to pass a final vote in the Senate, clear the House and Trump would be almost certain to veto it. But the vote reflects the growing headwinds of a war with Iran, especially as gas prices continue to rise ahead of the summer driving season and the 2026 midterms.
Cassidy, who failed to advance in last week’s primary election against Trump-backed challenger Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., is now in the final months of her term in the Senate. His vote indicates he is now more willing to challenge Trump.
The war with Iran has now exceeded the 60-day requirement under the War Powers Act for the President to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force. However the Trump administration has challenged the law as unconstitutional, and claims that a weak ceasefire in early April has stopped the clock by stopping hostilities.
Republicans, who largely opposed the measure, may also be hampered by the abstention that has allowed the measure to advance. Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. Several senators, including
Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., was the only Democrat to vote against the measure, while 46 Republicans voted for it.
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