The Senate will hold a vote Wednesday on whether to block President Donald J. Trump from using further military force against Iran, amid shifting messaging from the administration about the strikes and warnings about more American casualties to come. It’s the second time in less than a year that Democratic Senator Tim Kaine (Virginia) has forced a vote on a war powers resolution related to Iran. The upper chamber voted down a similar effort in June, after the U.S. bombed three locations central to Iran’s nuclear program. Kaine’s resolution, which is cosponsored by Republican Rand Paul (Kentucky), would “direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.” With a 53-seat Republican majority, the resolution appears poised to fall short of the simple majority needed to advance the measure. Of note, Democratic Senator John Fetterman (Pennsylvania) has pledged to vote against the resolution, meaning it would need the support of at least four other Republicans in addition to Paul. Even if both chambers were to approve the resolution, the outcome would be largely symbolic, since the president could and would simply veto it. Democrats would require two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate to override his veto.
For today, the Senate will also take up adoption of the motion to proceed to Cal. #343, H.R.6644 Housing for the 21st Century Act before moving to the Motion to discharge from the Foreign Relations Committee S.J.Res.104– A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
The House will take up H. Res. ____ – Providing for consideration of H.R. 7744, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 as well as also begin consideration of H. Con. Res. 38 – Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
