“I think there are a lot of Republican members, yes, obviously. Everybody wants to see wars come to a conclusion. We are hopeful that the administration's efforts will lead to getting … the shipping lanes open and taking some of the pressure off of the American peoples' pocketbooks via a lower price at the pump for gasoline. … It's an economic frustration. That's why again I hope that the administration is laser-focused on trying to get the strait open. [Thune called the Democratic-forced vote "political."]
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Six Weeks Before the Midterms, the Senate Rejects the House-Passed Resolution to End the Iran War 49-50 — Thom Tillis Joins Paul, Collins and Murkowski, Saying "We've Got to Break the Cycle," While Tim Kaine Says Republicans Have Been "Carrying Water for This Ridiculous and Illegal War"
September 24, 2026
On Thursday, September 24, 2026, the Senate voted 49-50 against H.Con.Res. 89, the House-passed concurrent resolution directing President Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress authorizes the war. It was the 14th time the Senate has taken up an Iran war powers measure since the war began on February 28. Because it is a concurrent resolution, the measure would not have gone to the president and would not have had the force of law. The vote was mostly symbolic, but it was one of the Senate's last votes before the November elections. Four Republicans voted yes: Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. Tillis is retiring, and he said he doesn't usually back "show votes" but wanted to signal that it is time to engage Congress. Democrat John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no, and Democrat Angela Alsobrooks missed the vote. Together those two votes decided the outcome. The vote came two days after Trump's U.N. speech asking whether to make a deal with Iran "or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic." Diesel prices are above $6 a gallon, and several Republicans who voted no have said publicly that the war needs to end. The White House said Congress cannot force the president to end the campaign this way and that Trump has sufficient authority under Article II. Pentagon figures put the toll at 19 U.S. service members killed and more than 820 wounded, and the cost at about $43.5 billion.
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“We've got to break the cycle. … [Explaining his yes vote, Tillis said the administration owes Congress] some strategic clarity around here so we can measure our success.
“Americans are getting crushed at the gas pumps, working families are getting cleaned out at grocery store counters, and family farms are going under because Trump took this country to war without authorization, without a plan, and without a second thought to the consequences. … Senate Republicans, if they knew what was good for them, would have joined us in pushing for an end to Trump's war seven months ago.
“The American people, overwhelmingly, want to end this horrific war in Iran. … Pathetically, today, nearly every Republican voted with Trump to keep the war going. When will Republicans represent their constituents and have the courage to oppose their mentally unstable leader?
“People are confused about the war and upset about the cost of living. [Kennedy, who voted against the resolution, called for President Trump to give a prime-time address explaining his strategy for the war.]
“It's more than a message. Congress has the constitutional power to declare war, not the president. … If you don't want to listen to us, how about listen to the American public who's suffering? Listen to the 18 families who've lost loved ones. Listen to the hundreds of troops who've been injured. … [After the vote, on Republicans:] They have been carrying water for this ridiculous and illegal war for months and months and months and not listening to their constituents.
“My own view is that the focus right now needs to be on attacking the cost of living issues. [Hawley opposed the resolution, arguing the president is acting within his constitutional authority.]
“The Senate's failure to pass my War Powers Resolution is a slap in the face to the millions of American people who want this war to end. The Senate had the opportunity to send a clear message to this administration that they would not stand for another day of his war of choice. Instead, a majority of Senate Republicans acted as a cult party and stood by Trump's unpopular and devastating war. In the House, we will continue to pass these resolutions and demand an end to the war. It is time to reassert Congress's constitutional authority to declare war.
“John Fetterman just cast the deciding vote to keep the Iran War raging. … This reckless war has cost American lives, innocent lives, tens of billions of dollars, and higher prices on nearly everything here at home. John and 49 Republican Senators voted in favor of all of that.