(The Center Square) – The U.S. Senate failed to pass a measure Wednesday that would have curtailed President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military operations in Iran without congressional approval.
Both Republicans and Democrats saw defections on the 47-52 vote, with Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., opposing the measure and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., supporting it.
Most Republicans view Operation Epic fury as a short-term operation against a country that poses a serious threat to the U.S. and its allies and has consistently resisted diplomacy.
“As a combat veteran who deployed to the Middle East, I served to protect America – not just then, but always. And I stand strongly with our Commander in Chief as he asks on behalf of the safety and security of Americans,” Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, told lawmakers Wednesday. “And the objective is clear: ensure no American has to live under the threat of Iran-backed terror again.”
She added, “Like every American I have no desire to see a long, drawn-out war. But this mission is worthy of being completed.”
The U.S. military is following up on the joint coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by attempting to control Iranian airspace and destroy its navy.
Democrats say the controversial operation – which has no set end date and has led to the deaths of six Americans so far – is equivalent to declaring war, which only Congress has the constitutional power to do.
A few key members of Congress had received advance notice of the strikes but did not vote to authorize them.
“The last thing the American people want or need is another war in the Middle East,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told lawmakers Wednesday. “Why is Donald Trump hellbent on making history repeat itself? Why is he plunging America headfirst into a war which Americans do not want and which he cannot even explain?”
The House is expected to vote on its own war powers resolution Thursday, which House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is confident will also fail.
“I think passage of a war powers resolution right now would be a terrible, dangerous idea,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday. “It would empower our enemies, it would kneecap our own forces, and it would take the ability of the U.S. military and the Commander in Chief away from completing this critical mission to keep everybody safe.”
