Congress passes war powers measure for first time, rebuking Trump's war with Iran

[AFP via Getty Images]

Sareen Habeshian

Tue, June 23, 2026 at 9:37 PM EDT

The Republican-controlled US Senate has approved a measure instructing President Donald Trump to halt the war in Iran or seek congressional approval before continuing military action.

A handful of Republicans joined Democrats in the 50-48 vote on Tuesday, showing bipartisan concern over the conflict and the ceasefire agreement reached in April.

The same measure was passed by the US House of Representatives in June, where four Republicans joined every Democrat to approve it in a 215-208 vote.

But the resolution is largely symbolic because, even after passing both chambers of Congress, it will not be sent to Trump for his consideration and does not carry the force of the law.

• US House delivers rebuke to Trump as it votes to halt Iran war

The vote marks the first time that both chambers of Congress have approved a concurrent resolution instructing a president to end a military action since the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted.

A concurrent resolution expresses the sentiment or will of Congress, as opposed to other forms of legislation that go to the President to be signed into law. In 2019, Trump vetoed a joint resolution that called for the removal of armed forces from hostilities in the Yemeni civil war.

The concurrent resolution's passage is significant because it adds to the pressure the White House is facing to find an end to the Iran war, as petrol prices have spiked and public opposition to the war has increased.

But a White House official told the BBC that with the ceasefire agreed on 7 April, there are no hostilities from which to withdraw American forces.

The official also said the measure only passed because two Republican senators were absent: Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick.

Four Republican senators voted with Democrats in support of the resolution: Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman was the only member of his party to vote against it.