The US Senate voted 50-48 on Tuesday to pass a historic war powers resolution blocking military action against Iran.
Four Republican senators defected to support the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer strongly criticised President Donald Trump's military strategy in Iran as a historic blunder.
The U.S. Senate approved a war powers resolution in a 50-48 vote on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, to block military action against Iran.
The measure marks the first time the chamber successfully approved a resolution to block military action against Iran. This follows nine previous failed attempts since the U.S. and Israel launched missile strikes on Iran on February 28. The House of Representatives passed its own version of the resolution earlier in June 2026.
Americans have paid the price for "Trump’s historic blunder in Iran. It’ll go down in the history books as one of the worst foreign policy forays America has ever made," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said according to AP.
GOP Defections and Absences
The vote fractured party lines. Four Republican senators voted in favour of the resolution: Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy.
Conversely, one Democratic senator, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted against the measure. The absence of two Republican senators, including the hospitalised Mitch McConnell, left the party without a majority to block the vote.
"Time after time, the vast majority of Senate Republicans sided with Mr. Trump and his war instead of the American people," Schumer added.
Senator Tim Kaine asked, "Why is this vote different?" He said the current pause in fighting allows Congress to assess "what should the next chapter be."
Backlash Over Iran Deal
President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Republican senators at the Capitol. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance negotiates in Iran.
The clock is ticking. Trump signed a Memorandum of Understanding last week, starting a 60-day timeline to reach a broader nuclear agreement.
The developing deal includes a controversial $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran. This financial commitment far exceeds the $1.7 billion refunded under the 2015 Obama deal, drawing specific objections from Republican lawmakers.
"I believe President Trump is getting very poor advice on Iran," Senator Ted Cruz said last week on his podcast.
Pentagon Demands Billions More
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is lobbying Capitol Hill for $80 billion in supplemental funding to restock depleted munitions.
Financial tolls are mounting. The Pentagon estimated the war cost $11.3 billion in its first week, with total costs now approaching $100 billion.
The $80 billion request forms part of a larger $1.5 trillion defence budget request, representing a 50% increase. The administration aims to pass $350 billion of that total via budget reconciliation.
Previously, the 2025 tax cuts package provided a $175 billion funding boost for the military.
