One more Senate Republican on Wednesday joined Democrats’ quest to end the war with Iran in the first such vote since a 60-day legal clock for President Trump to do so on his own expired May 1.
The 50-49 vote was still two supporters shy of the 51 votes needed to advance the war powers resolution, which would direct the president to end hostilities with Iran unless he obtains congressional approval.
Senate Democrats have forced similar votes every week the chamber has been in session since the early days of the war, and the GOP backing has slowly advanced from one senator to three as the Iran conflict continues.
Alaska GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who has suggested Congress needs to pass an authorization for use of military force in Iran, voted for the war powers resolution for the first time on Wednesday.
“We’re in a different place than we were last time we voted on this,” she said, citing the 60-day deadline the War Powers Act gives the president to end hostilities or obtain congressional authorization for continuing them.
The other Republicans backing the resolution were Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Mr. Paul has sided with Democrats on each vote since the war started. Ms. Collins offered her support on the 59th day of hostilities.
Mr. Trump sent a letter to Congress on May 1, the 60-day deadline, declaring hostilities against Iran “terminated” because there had been “no exchange of fire” since he ordered a ceasefire on April 7.
However, the U.S. and Iran have since launched attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz as they have sought to use the oil shipping passageway as leverage in negotiations to end the conflict.
Mr. Trump on Monday declared the ceasefire on “life support” after Iran’s latest proposal in the negotiations.
“A statement has been made that hostilities are at an end, but it certainly wouldn’t appear to be that way,” Ms. Murkowski said.
She said the administration has not provided enough answers about how it plans to bring the conflict to a close.
