A war powers resolution narrowly missed passing in the Senate on Thursday, with only four Republicans voting in favor.
Republican Senators Susan Collins from Maine, Rand Paul from Kentucky, Thom Tillis from North Carolina, and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska joined Democrats in supporting the measure. Meanwhile, a growing faction of Republicans is starting to distance themselves from President Trump regarding the Iran conflict. Ultimately, the resolution failed with a vote of 49 to 50.
Notably, Democratic Senator Angela Alsobrooks from Maryland did not cast a vote. On the other hand, Republican Senators Bill Cassidy from Louisiana and Jon Husted from Ohio, both of whom have criticized the Iran war, opposed the resolution.
The purpose of the resolution was to instruct Trump to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Iran. However, it’s important to note that the president isn’t legally required to follow a concurrent resolution as it lacks the force of law.
As the midterm elections approach, more Republicans are calling for a conclusion to the war, particularly in states like Texas, Ohio, Iowa, and Kansas, which aren’t typically viewed as competitive for Democrats. Republicans are increasing their campaign efforts and financial support in these regions to bolster their candidates, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign against Democratic state Representative James Talarico.
A CNN/SSRS survey indicated that only 26% of Americans approved of Trump’s management of the Iran situation, despite 60% of Republicans expressing support. Alarmingly, 53% of voters under 45 who identify as Republican or lean Republican disapproved of Trump’s approach to the conflict.
Interestingly, Republican Representatives Ashley Hinson from Iowa, Tom Tiffany from Wisconsin, and former Representative Mike Rogers from Michigan are now advocating for the war’s end, having previously supported it.
“Iowans are feeling the pinch and shouldn’t have to pay more at the gas station or grocery store because of the war in Iran,” Hinson stated. “We need to explore every option we have to alleviate high prices. This could include suspending the gas tax, pausing diesel exports, increasing access to E-15, reinstating a $1 per gallon biodiesel tax credit, and developing a diesel relief program to assist farmers and truckers facing steep costs.”
Collins is currently embroiled in a tough re-election battle in Maine against Democratic nominee Troy Jackson.
In a vote on September 16, seven House Republicans sided with Democrats to pass the resolution. Those who voted against it included Representatives Tom Barrett from Michigan, Warren Davidson from Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania, Nancy Mace from South Carolina, Thomas Massie from Kentucky, Zach Nunn from Iowa, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks from Iowa.
Previously, the Senate passed a separate concurrent resolution in June, with Senators Paul, Collins, and Murkowski also in favor at that time. Notably, Trump expressed his frustration with Senate Republicans during a lunch in June over this resolution, with Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana describing Trump as “mad as a murder hornet” in comments to a news outlet.
