US Senate rejects bid to rein in Trump’s authority over Iran war

Key Points:

• The US Senate narrowly rejected a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war in Iran, with a 49-50 vote, marking the second such legislative effort in two weeks.
• The vote followed a recent escalation in the conflict, including a fresh wave of US airstrikes in Iran in retaliation for an Iranian missile attack on a US base in Jordan, which has intensified regional tensions.
• Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against the resolution, while three Republicans crossed party lines to support it; Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was absent due to medical recovery.
• The conflict has now lasted over five months, resulting in at least 18 US service member deaths and over 450 wounded, with the Pentagon requesting an additional $80 billion to sustain military operations.
• Public opinion polls indicate a majority of Americans view the war as not worthwhile, and some lawmakers, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have called for Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to end the war immediately.