Congress passes war powers measure for first time, rebuking Trump's war with Iran

Key Points:

• The Republican-controlled US Senate approved a measure 50-48 instructing President Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek congressional approval before continuing military action, with some Republicans joining Democrats in opposition to the war.
• The measure, previously passed by the House, is largely symbolic as it will not be sent to the president and lacks the force of law, marking the first concurrent resolution instructing a president to end military action since the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
• The vote adds pressure on the White House amid rising petrol prices and growing public opposition to the Iran war, though a White House official noted no current hostilities due to a ceasefire agreed on April 7.
• The Senate vote highlighted divisions within the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections, with some Republicans resisting Trump’s policies, and came as the Pentagon requested $80 billion from Congress, mostly for the Iran conflict.
• Federal law requires congressional approval for military actions beyond 60 days; although strikes began on February 28, the Trump administration contends the April ceasefire reset this timeline, with both the US and Iran currently working towards ending hostilities.