From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
US Senate advances resolution limiting Trump’s powers to wage war against Iran
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
For the first time since the outbreak of the US-Israel war against Iran, the United States Senate has advanced a motion that could bar President Donald Trump’s administration from continuing to strike the Islamic Republic.
Four Republicans join their Democratic colleagues in backing the measure, which would require Congressional approval for continued military strikes against Iran.
The procedural measure requires the Senate to hold a subsequent debate on a war powers resolution to end the conflict.
Republicans can still defeat the resolution, especially if the Trump administration works to rally support on Capitol Hill. But a vote will force lawmakers to stand by their positions regarding the war.
Republicans had blocked over half a dozen of these measures since the Iran war began, demonstrating the party’s support for the war effort.
However, as the war dragged on and its economic costs have risen, cracks in support for the conflict — technically in a ceasefire — have began to surface, including in the GOP.
Senator John Fetterman was the lone Democrat to vote against the Tuesday measure, while Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowsky, Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy split from their GOP colleagues to support the resolution.
Cassidy abandoned the pack for the first time just days after losing a Republican primary race in which Trump endorsed his challenger.
The Times of Israel Community.