The US Senate advanced a war powers resolution. A floor vote is expected in the next 3 days.

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:00]Today, the Senate voted 50 to 47 to advance a resolution directing the president to end US military involvement in Iran.

[00:00:08]Four Republicans crossed over. Collins, Murkowski, Rand Paul, and for the first time, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

[00:00:15]Eight attempts, this is the first time it's moved.

[00:00:18]The War Powers Resolution of 1973 exists because presidents kept taking the country into sustained conflict without asking Congress.

[00:00:28]Vietnam was the breaking point. The law set a simple rule. You have 60 days to act in an emergency. After that, you need congressional authorization.

[00:00:37]No declaration of war, no authorization, you have to withdraw.

[00:00:42]There's a 30-day extension available if the president certifies that military necessity requires additional time to safely disengage.

[00:00:50]The administration has not formally invoked that, either. Instead, they argue that the ceasefire reset the clock entirely.

[00:00:58]Trump notified Congress on March 2nd.

[00:01:00]The clock expired around May 1st. The administration's position is that the April ceasefire terminated the hostilities, and the clock no longer applies.

[00:01:10]National security attorneys at the Brennan Center have said that reading is not supported by the text of the law.

[00:01:17]The naval blockade of Iranian ports is still active. Exchanges of fire have continued. A pause in bombing is not the end of his hostilities.

[00:01:27]The administration has gone further than that. Secretary Rubio called the War Powers Act unconstitutional outright. He exited senators the administration already has all the authority it needs to restart combat at any time. Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the authority to declare war. Claiming that authority is optional is not a legal argument. It's a power grab.

[00:01:49]Here's what today set in motion. Under the War Powers Resolution, on expedited procedures, a floor vote must happen within three calendar days of discharge.

[00:02:00]That's by Friday this week. Senate Majority Leader Thune controls the calendar though. So, the three Republicans who didn't vote today, Cornyn, Tuberville, and Tillis, they will be present for the floor vote, but their position is not yet locked in.

[00:02:15]The Senate switchboard is 202-224-3121.

[00:02:19]If you have a Republican Senator, call.

[00:02:21]The ask is a yes vote on final passage by Friday on the War Powers Resolution Act.