7th Attempt to Halt War in Iran Fails, but With One Change

Senate efforts to formally shut down the Iran war fell short again Wednesday—by a single vote—but the GOP wall holding them back is starting to crack. In the seventh such attempt, senators voted 50–49 against a Democratic war powers resolution aimed at ending US involvement unless Congress formally authorizes continued military action, with Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski breaking ranks for the first time to back it. She joined Republicans Susan Collins and Rand Paul in siding with Democrats, while Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman again voted with the GOP. With one Republican absent, the measure would have passed if Fetterman had voted with his party, notes the New York Times.

The White House maintains hostilities effectively ended on the same day a 60-day clock for seeking congressional approval ran out, citing a cease-fire with Iran and a halt in major bombing. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said President Trump would not seek congressional sign-off even if airstrikes resumed. Democrats—and a small group of Republicans—dispute that the conflict is over, pointing to continued skirmishes in the Strait of Hormuz and tens of thousands of US troops still in the region. "We're in a different place than we were last time we voted," said Murkowski.

"We're going to force this vote every week until the Senate says we shouldn't be at war. And I do believe that day is coming," Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine told reporters, per the Washington Post.