U.S. Senate defeats fourth war‑powers resolution, keeping Trump free to pursue Iran conflict

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate voted 47‑52 to reject a resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump’s power to wage war against Iran, marking the fourth defeat of the measure despite weekly attempts by lawmakers.

The vote follows a two‑week ceasefire agreed upon last week, though subsequent negotiations in Islamabad failed to produce a longer‑term deal. Both sides have indicated openness to a second round of talks.

President Trump’s earlier threats, including a statement on April 7 that a “whole civilisation will die tonight,” intensified congressional calls for constraints on his war‑making authority.

Party lines largely dictated the outcome: Republican Rand Paul voted in favor, while Democrat John Fetterman broke with his party to oppose the resolution.

Supporters argue that Trump acted beyond constitutional limits when he joined Israel in launching the February 28 offensive. The U.S. Constitution reserves the declaration of war for Congress, allowing presidents to act unilaterally only in cases of immediate self‑defence.

Senator Chris Murphy, speaking before the vote, described the conflict as a “bungled, mismanaged war” that has failed to meet the administration’s objectives. He criticized the lack of transparency and oversight, noting that the war is costing “billions of dollars every week,” has claimed “over a dozen American lives,” and is destabilising economies worldwide.

Republican Senator Jim Risch defended Trump’s actions, dismissing the resolution as “same old, same old” and asserting that the president has both the right and duty to act.

The House of Representatives is slated to consider its own war‑powers resolution this week, with a higher likelihood of passage given growing wariness among some Republicans. Even if both chambers approved the measure, Trump could veto it, requiring a two‑thirds supermajority to override.

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must either authorize the military action or approve a 30‑day extension when the conflict reaches its 60‑day mark at the end of April. Failure to do so would legally compel the president to begin withdrawing forces.

U.S. blockade updates: U.S. Central Command reported that no vessels have successfully breached the blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz over the past 48 hours, with nine ships complying with orders to turn back. The U.S. Navy warned that vessels attempting to transit will be boarded for interdiction and seizure.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a forthcoming set of financial measures described as the “financial equivalent” of military attacks, while noting that some sanctions had been lifted to ease soaring global energy prices.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration has not formally requested an extension of the ceasefire, which is set to expire next week, but expressed optimism about a second round of talks in Islamabad.

Iran’s state‑run television reported that a high‑level Pakistani delegation arrived in Tehran to coordinate new negotiations. Meanwhile, Major‑General Ali Abdollahi of the IRGC warned that the ongoing naval blockade could jeopardise the fragile ceasefire, describing it as a “prelude to a violation of the ceasefire.”