Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.
Aaron Schwartz | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Congress was divided Thursday on advancing two war powers resolutions aimed at forcing President Donald Trump to abandon war with Iran, as the conflict escalates to a dangerous new level. oil top $100 per barrel.
The move was the first vote since President Trump notified Congress that he was resuming war with Iran following the collapse of peace talks. The conflict flared up again after weeks of uneasy ceasefire, months before the US midterm elections. That threatens to undermine the Republican Party’s plans to maintain its slim majority.
The Senate on Thursday voted 47-49 to reject a joint resolution under the War Powers Act that would have forced President Trump to cease hostilities with Iran. The chamber’s action follows a 214-208 House vote earlier in the day to approve a similar measure under the War Powers Act.
Even if Congress tries to force Trump to withdraw, he will almost certainly veto anything that reaches his desk.
“There is no good way out of a bad war,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who introduced the resolution in the Senate. “This is an opportunity for Congress to finally be held accountable.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) voted in favor of the resolution. Collins is currently embroiled in a tough re-election bid in a reliably blue state. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote against the bill.
Before the vote, Republicans argued that cutting off the administration’s ability to wage war now would tie their hands.
“If we vote now, and the Republicans vote to cut and run, and we vote to force a president who is in the middle of this, to retreat, it will be a huge blow to the credibility of America,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana).
President Kennedy downplayed voters’ concerns about the war, saying, “I don’t think that’s the main issue. I think this election will be about the cost of living.”
The House action is a concurrent resolution and is not legally binding, so the bill never goes to President Trump’s desk for his signature, but it signals Congress’ disapproval.
Oil prices soar again due to recent war intensification, international indicators also brent Crude oil topped $100 on Thursday. usa crude oil It has soared to more than $91 per barrel. Gasoline prices have also soared to an average of $4.09 per gallon in the U.S., according to AAA.
