Senate advances bill aimed at ending Iran war as Cassidy, after primary
loss, flips to support
[May 20, 2026]
By STEPHEN GROVES
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate advanced legislation Tuesday that seeks to
force President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Iran war, as a growing
number of Republicans defied the president's direction on a conflict
that has spanned well over two months.
Since Trump ordered the attack on Iran at the end of February, Democrats
have forced repeated votes on war powers resolutions that would require
him either to gain congressional approval or withdraw U.S. troops.
Republicans had been able to muster the votes to reject those proposals,
but Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy — fresh off a primary election loss in
which Trump endorsed his opponent — switched sides.
The 50-47 vote tally showed that a small but growing number of
Republicans are willing to challenge Trump on the Iran war, even though
the effort may not advance much further. Three Republicans were absent
Tuesday and their votes would be enough to defeat the measure, if they
maintain their stance on the war.
Still, the vote showed how Republicans are increasingly uneasy with a
conflict that shows no signs of ending, is stuck in a fragile ceasefire
and is causing rising gas prices in the U.S.
“Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to check
him,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement after
the vote. "We are not letting up.”
Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa
Murkowski of Alaska had all previously voted for similar war powers
resolutions and did so again Tuesday. Cassidy supported the legislation
for the first time, while Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was again
the only Democrat to vote against it.
After his primary election loss last week, Cassidy returned to
Washington defiant. He said he was proud of his work to uphold the
Constitution and would carefully consider how he would vote on several
priorities of the Trump administration going forward.
Trump's grip on the Senate Republican Conference is potentially slipping
after Cassidy's primary loss, as well as the president's decision
Tuesday to endorse Republican Sen. John Cornyn's primary opponent.
“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,” Cassidy said on social media.
“Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional
authorization or extension can be justified.”
House will also vote on war powers
Across the Capitol, the House is expected to vote on a similar war
powers resolution Wednesday, and Democrats are bullish about their
chances of passing it. Another war powers resolution barely failed in
the House last week, the vote ending in a tie.
[to top of second column]
|
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks to supporters during an election
night watch party Saturday, May 16, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP
Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Even if Congress eventually passes legislation to compel Trump to
withdraw from the conflict, it's not clear that he would comply. To
circumvent requirements of the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the
White House has claimed that it has technically ceased “hostilities”
with Iran because there is a ceasefire.
Trump this week said he ordered preparations for an attack on Iran
on Tuesday, only to call it off to give allies in the Gulf more time
to work out an agreement with Iran.
“Peace negotiations are stuck and so day after day after day grocery
prices climb, gas prices climb," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of
Connecticut said in a floor speech.
Lawmakers want more information on Iran war
On Capitol Hill, patience is clearly running out for a war that
Trump launched without congressional approval.
Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said he is supportive of
Trump’s decision to go to war, but that more Republicans are growing
concerned about a long-term plan. The administration may have to go
into more detail about that, Rounds said.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 “does provide an avenue for that
discussion and debate to occur,” Rounds said.
He said he believes it’s not the right time to do that, and he would
rather “stand strong with the president” at this point. “But I think
a number of our members maybe just feel like it’s time to have the
debate.”
Earlier this year, Republican senators voted to advance a war powers
resolution on the conflict with Venezuela and compelled the Trump
administration to make its case to Congress for the military
campaign.
A handful of GOP senators forced a final vote on legislation to
withdraw from the conflict. Two of the Republicans — Sens. Todd
Young of Indiana and Josh Hawley of Missouri — ultimately flipped
after Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to a public hearing
about the administration's Venezuela strategy.
__
Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this
report.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
