The Senate voted May 19 to advance a measure that would require President Donald Trump to end U.S. military involvement in hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorizes it.
Senators approved a procedural step by a 50-47 vote, moving the joint resolution out of committee and onto the floor for debate. It was the first time during this session such a war powers measure on Iran cleared that hurdle.
Several Democratic senators previewed the vote with a video on X urging Republicans to support the measure and get troops out of harm’s way.
This week, for the EIGHTH time, @SenateDems are forcing a vote on our War Powers Resolution to withdraw our troops from hostilities with Iran.@SenateGOP:
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 18, 2026
Support our War Powers Resolution. End the war. Get our troops out of harm’s way. pic.twitter.com/z3Zh12mJJb
"For the EIGHTH time, we will be bringing our War Powers Resolution to the floor to end Trump’s war with Iran,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, wrote ahead of the vote. “Republicans have a choice to stop catering to Trump and end this deeply unpopular war.”
For the EIGHTH time, we will be bringing our War Powers Resolution to the floor to end Trump’s war with Iran.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 19, 2026
Republicans have a choice to stop catering to Trump and end this deeply unpopular war. They must vote yes.
The resolution, S.J.Res. 185, directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran that have not been specifically approved by Congress. It invokes the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which generally limits presidents to 60 days (plus a possible 30-day extension) of combat unless lawmakers declare war or pass an authorization for use of military force.
>> Republican-led Senate rejects measure to force Congressional vote on Iran War <<
Four Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the motion to discharge the measure from the Foreign Relations Committee: Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
The vote marked the first time Cassidy voted in favor of the resolution and came just days after he fell short of advancing to a runoff in Louisiana’s Republican Senate primary. President Donald Trump endorsed Cassidy’s rival.
Republican Sens. John Cornyn, Tommy Tuberville, and Thom Tillis did not cast votes on the resolution, allowing Democrats to gain enough support to move ahead with it. One Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted against it, according to the official roll call.
The action stems from U.S. military operations against Iran that began Feb. 28. The White House has maintained that the initial phase of hostilities ended in early April with the announcement of a ceasefire, but several senators have argued ongoing U.S. involvement requires congressional approval.
The resolution has not yet received a final vote in the Senate. Even if it passes the Senate, it would need House approval and faces a possible veto by Trump. Similar measures have repeatedly failed in recent months.