On May 19, 2026, the Senate voted 50-47 to discharge S.J.Res. 185 from committee, advancing a war powers resolution directing President Trump to end U.S. military involvement in the war with Iran. Senate roll call records show it was the first Iran war powers measure to win a Senate vote since the war began; every earlier attempt, starting March 4, had been rejected. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), says “Congress hereby directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.”
The breakthrough came because Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) voted yes for the first time after repeatedly voting no. Cassidy had lost his Republican primary on Saturday, May 16, to an opponent Trump endorsed. His statement: “While I support the administration's efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury. In Louisiana, I've heard from people, including President Trump's supporters, who are concerned about this war. Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.”
The other Republicans voting yes were Rand Paul (KY), Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Susan Collins (ME), all of whom had voted aye before. Every Democrat supported it except John Fetterman (PA), who has opposed it every time. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: “For more than 80 days, Trump has dragged America into a costly, chaotic conflict with no plan, no objective, and no legal authority. Today proved our pressure is working: Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to check him.”
The resolution's path remained uncertain. Three Republicans were absent (John Cornyn, Thom Tillis and Tommy Tuberville), and their votes could have defeated it. It would also need to pass the Republican-controlled House and would almost certainly face a presidential veto. Trump has argued he does not need congressional approval because ceasefire days do not count toward the 60-day window under the 1973 War Powers Act; the White House has claimed it technically ceased “hostilities” because of the ceasefire, the AP reported.
Update (October 2, 2026): S.J.Res. 185 did not pass. On June 24, the Senate rejected the motion to proceed to it, 47-50, with Cassidy voting no and Paul voting present, according to the Senate roll call; Collins and Murkowski again voted yes (see A Day After Congress Passed an Iran War Powers Resolution, the Senate Blocks a Second One, 47-50, Under Direct Pressure From Trump).
Correction (October 2, 2026): an earlier version of this entry said Cassidy lost a primary “runoff”; the AP and NBC News describe it as his primary. Its title said Trump “ended his career”; the reporting says Trump endorsed his opponent, and the title now says that. It also said Trump's ceasefire interpretation is one “no prior administration has used”; that could not be sourced and was removed. It said the vote was the first time the Democratic-led effort had cleared a procedural vote; Senate records support that only for Iran war powers measures, and the entry now says so.