US Congress passes symbolic Iran war rebuke to Trump

The US Senate delivered a fresh rebuke to the White House Tuesday by passing a largely symbolic resolution calling for an end to President Donald Trump's war with Iran. The House-passed measure, adopted by the Senate in a 50-48 vote, directs Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes military action.

While the resolution does not go to Trump's desk for signature and carries disputed legal force, its passage puts both chambers of Congress on record against a conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. This conflict has rattled global energy markets and opened a broader regional war involving Lebanon and Gulf states.

The vote came as the Trump administration pursued a 60-day diplomatic push to finalize an agreement with Iran covering its nuclear program, sanctions relief, and the Strait of Hormuz. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer forced the vote to put Republicans on record, stating, "Republicans can complain about Trump's war, his secrecy, and his disastrous deal with Iran all they want behind closed doors, but the only way to ensure this war ends once and for all is for Republicans to act."

Democrats argue Trump violated the Constitution by launching military operations without congressional approval. The White House, however, has contended that resolutions curbing Trump's war powers are unconstitutional and that the conflict had already ended under an April ceasefire. The administration also warned that restricting the president's authority could weaken Washington's leverage in negotiations.

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Republicans can complain about Trump's war, his secrecy, and his disastrous deal with Iran all they want behind closed doors, but the only way to ensure this war ends once and for all is for Republicans to act.