Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
Eric Lee | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The Senate on Tuesday introduced a resolution to halt military action in Iran following the sudden defection of Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s war effort.
Although the vote is provisional, it indicates the Senate may have the votes to force President Trump to withdraw Iranian troops or seek congressional approval for additional action.
Despite passing the War Powers Resolution on a 50-47 vote, it still has little chance of becoming law. It must pass a final vote in the Senate and pass the House, where Trump is almost certain to veto it. But the polls show that headwinds to war with Iran are growing, especially as gas prices continue to soar in the run-up to the summer driving season and the 2026 midterm elections.
Cassidy is now in the final months of his term in the Senate, having failed to advance to a runoff against Trump-backed challenger Rep. Julia Letlow (R-Louisiana) in last week’s primary. His vote shows he is increasingly motivated to challenge Trump.
“I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, but the White House and Department of Defense kept Congress in the dark about Operation Epic Fury,” Cassidy said in a statement on his X account after the vote. “We have heard from people in Louisiana, including President Trump’s supporters, that they are concerned about this war. Until the administration provides clarity, Congressional authorization or extension cannot be justified.”
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Los Angeles) attends the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Senate Committee confirmation hearing for the nomination of Marty McCulley to head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at the Capitol on March 6, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Kent Nishimura | Reuters
The war with Iran is currently beyond the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Act for the president to seek Congressional authorization to use military force. But the Trump administration has challenged the law as unconstitutional, arguing that a delicate ceasefire in early April halted hostilities and stopped time.
The absence of Republicans, who were widely opposed to the bill, may have hindered its progress. Several senators did not vote, including Sen. Thom Tillis (R-Texas), Sen. John Collin (R-Texas), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Alabama).
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) was the only Democrat to vote against the bill, while 46 Republicans voted in favor.
Since the Iran war began, Democrats in the House and Senate have pushed more than a dozen war powers resolutions. So far, everyone has been defeated. But some Republicans in Congress are beginning to support requiring the administration to seek Congressional approval after the conflict exceeds 60 days. According to the Constitution, the sole authority to declare war rests with Congress.
The nearly three-month war has devastated the global economy and sent U.S. oil prices soaring. During the war, Iran largely closed off the Strait of Hormuz, a vital strait that carries about a fifth of the world’s traffic. oil.
Gasoline prices in the U.S. currently average more than $4.53 per gallon, according to AAA.
