- The Senate voted 50-48 to halt U.S. military action against Iran.
- Four Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the resolution.
- The White House says the legislation is unconstitutional and non-binding.
WASHINGTON: The Republican-majority U.S. Senate on Tuesday backed legislation to end U.S. military action against Iran, but it was not yet clear how it would affect the war as President Donald Trump’s administration negotiates a peace deal with the Islamic republic.
The Senate voted 50-48 in favor of the competing resolution, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this month, reflecting growing concern even among some Trump Republicans over the unpopular conflict that began on February 28.
The vote went almost along party lines, with four Republicans joining all but one Democrat. Two Republicans did not vote.
The resolution directs Trump to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities with or against Iran, but it will likely remain a mere symbolic vote.
Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the measure is not sent to the White House for Trump’s signature. However, the White House insisted that the legislation was not constitutional and therefore not binding.
Legal experts say this is a contentious legal issue likely to be resolved in court.
“The executive branch will likely ignore it on constitutional grounds, and it’s not clear who might sue to enforce it,” said Scott Anderson, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and editor of the online legal publication Lawfare.
