In a largely symbolic reprimand, Senate Democrats succeeded on Tuesday in forcing through a resolution to end the war with Iran.
Tuesday’s vote was the 10th such effort from Senate Democrats, a near-weekly occurrence. The measure passed this time because of the support of Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO). Bennet had missed previous votes to campaign for Colorado governor.
The vote was 50-48, with four Republicans joining all but one Democrat in supporting the resolution. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), a vocal hawk on Iran, was the sole Democrat to oppose the resolution.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Rand Paul (R-KY) defected from their party line in supporting the resolution, just as they had during the last attempt. Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) missed the vote.
“We have forced this fight on the floor again and again and again for more than 100 days because only Congress has the power to take our nation to war, not Trump alone,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said ahead of the vote.
So-called concurrent resolutions do not go to the president’s desk for a signature, and they lack enforceable mechanisms. Yet the vote highlights dissent within Republican ranks over the war, especially after President Donald Trump unveiled a deal to end it that many saw as unsatisfactory.
The House passed a similar resolution earlier this month, by a 215-208 vote. Republican Reps. Tom Barrett (R-MI), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) joined Democrats in opposing the war.
The successful Senate vote comes before President Donald Trump heads to Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans on Wednesday.
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Collins, who voted for the resolution, said Tuesday that it is a “safe bet” that the Trump administration’s deal to end the war will come up during the luncheon.
“Senate Republicans need to grill Trump for answers on where negotiations stand when he meets them at the Capitol tomorrow,” Schumer said.