Senate fails to advance latest attempt to limit Trump's Iran war powers

Washington — The Senate rejected the latest attempt to rein in President Trump's war powers in Iran on Thursday, soon after the House adopted a separate measure rebuking the president amid escalations in the conflict in recent days.

In a 47 to 49 vote, one Republican — Susan Collins of Maine — joined Democrats in voting to advance the measure. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the sole Democrat to oppose. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who have previously supported similar war powers efforts, did not vote.

The resolution, led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, would direct the president to "remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force."

Earlier Thursday, the House voted 214 to 208 to adopt another war powers resolution introduced by Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington. Four Republicans — Reps. Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — split from their party to vote in favor of that resolution.

Other efforts to rein in Mr. Trump on Iran have seen mixed results in the Senate in recent months. In May, four Republicans joined Democrats to move forward with a similar measure led by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia. Then, in June, the same four Republicans joined Democrats to adopt a separate, House-passed resolution aimed at limiting the president's powers. That measure was a concurrent resolution, meaning it didn't require the president's signature. But the symbolic rebuke of the president appeared to strike a chord. A day later, after a contentious meeting with the president and pressure from GOP leaders, key Republicans shifted their votes, and an effort to advance Kaine's resolution further fell short.

Since the conflict began in February, Democrats have forced a series of votes to bring attention to the administration's handling of the war and put pressure on their GOP colleagues. Thursday's vote marked the first time the Senate has weighed in since the shaky ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran collapsed earlier this month.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans to join Democrats ahead of the vote Thursday to "end this war, get our troops out of harm's way, and force Trump to face the reality of this catastrophe."

"Will our Republican colleagues join us?" the New York Democrat asked. "Or are they just going to keep their heads in the sand? They know how bad this is, they're hearing