Republicans on Thursday declined to hold a vote on a resolution to withdraw military operations from the war with Iran, after it became clear that they did not have enough numbers to stop its passing. The planned votes on the matter have been delayed to June.
The Capitol is also holding a vote on another war powers resolutions. Republicans are assessing their numbers as four of its own senators supported the resolution and three others were absent from the vote earlier this week, allowing it to advance to a final vote.
President Donald Trump is struggling to maintain political support on his handling of the war, with leaders of the GoP continuing to turn against him.
Another war powers resolution was almost passed last week, which ended on a tie as three Republicans voted in its favour.
Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, who brought in the war powers resolution, had said he expected to have the votes this time.
“Congress has a constitutional duty. It has a duty to act, not to cheerlead, especially not to cheerlead an open-ended war of choice,” said Meeks.
Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, the only Democrat to vote against the resolution, had said he would support it this time.
Many leaders from both parties were absent from the vote, which may have affected the outcome.
While a large part of the Republican Party has backed Trump’s actions, others have said his legal timeline to wage a war without congressional approval has expired. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, presidents have 60 days to engage in military conflict before Congress officially declares war or approve the use of military force.
Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania voted for an Iran war powers resolution for the first time this week.
“We have to follow the law,” he said.
