US Senate rejects resolution curbing Trump's Iran war powers

The US Senate on Thursday narrowly rejected a Democratic-led resolution aiming to stop the Iran war until hostilities are authorized by Congress.

The Senate voted 50 to 49 to reject the resolution, which had passed the House of Representatives in July. The vote was largely along party lines, with most of US President Donald Trump's Republicans rejecting the measure and almost every Democrat voting for it.

Seven Republicans back Iran war powers resolution, widening GOP split with Trump

Earlier in September, in the House of Representatives, seven Republicans joined Democrats in backing a similar resolution directing Trump to remove American forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorizes the war.

The resolution invokes Section 5(c) of the 1973 War Powers Resolution and directs Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress declares war or specifically authorizes the use of military force. It preserves Trump's ability to maintain the forces necessary to defend the US or an ally against an imminent attack, subject to the law's reporting requirements.

The legal force of such congressional efforts has long been disputed, and previous resolutions have not changed the course of US military operations. The Senate would also have to act for Congress to present a unified challenge to the administration.

Maya Zanger-Shamir and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.