Politics

Republicans Block Fifth Attempt to Rein In Trump on Iran

By Mike Harper · April 23, 2026

For the fifth time, Senate Republicans blocked an attempt by Democrats to assert congressional authority over the Iran war — and for the fifth time, the vote was nearly identical to the ones before it.

The measure failed 46-51 on Wednesday, mirroring four previous attempts by Democrats to force a debate on halting U.S. military operations against Iran without congressional authorization. As in all prior votes, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to break with his party. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote with Republicans.

But something is different this time. The calendar is now working against the GOP.

The Iran conflict began on February 28. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a president must withdraw U.S. forces from a conflict within 60 days unless Congress either declares war or authorizes the use of force — with an option for a 30-day extension. That 60-day clock expires on April 28. Five days from now.

Several Republican senators who have backed Trump on every war powers vote so far are beginning to signal they may not do so indefinitely. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she would want a vote on authorization if the conflict reaches the two-month mark. Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said his committee would likely hold a hearing on the conflict in May.

“If negotiations have a chance, the Senate should give negotiators the leverage they need,” Wicker said Wednesday, defending the vote against the resolution.

Democrats, who have promised to force war powers votes weekly until the conflict ends or Congress formally authorizes it, are not backing down.

“Every day we hear new promises from the Trump administration — that victory has been achieved, that peace is at hand, that the costs are starting to come down — and every day we see the opposite,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who forced Wednesday’s vote, put the choice directly.

“We have the power to end this war of choice that is costing American troops their lives and American families their savings. Those who vote no are choosing not to use that power.”

The ceasefire Trump extended Tuesday has no end date, leaving the conflict in a state of indefinite suspension. The blockade of Iranian ports remains. Peace talks remain stalled. And the War Powers Act deadline arrives in days — a legal inflection point that some Republicans have identified as the moment when a serious congressional debate on the conflict becomes unavoidable.

Democrats have six more war powers resolutions queued up. Republicans have six more scheduled votes to hold them off. The question now is whether April 28 changes the math.