Senate Approves Resolution to Limit Trump’s Military Authority as Republicans Break With POTUS

The Senate voted to approve a resolution limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to take military action against Iran with Congressional approval.

In a 55-45 vote on Thursday, the Senate approved legislation pushed by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) that would require the president to end any military action against Iran within 30-days without the approval of Congress.

Eight Republicans — including Sens. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Bill Cassidy (La.) Susan Collins (Maine), Mike Lee (Utah), Rand Paul (Ky.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Todd Young (Ind.) — voted along with every Democratic senator in favor of the legislation.

Republicans who supported the measure said they were doing so to reclaim Congress’s power regarding war-making decisions.

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1227729894408433665

On Wednesday, Trump warned Republicans against voting for the resolution on Twitter, “We are doing very well with Iran, and this is not the time to show weakness.”

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1227661700264013826

The resolution gained traction in Congress after Trump ordered the strike that killed Iran’s top general, Qasem Soleimani, in early January.

Senate Democrats cast the measure as a check against the president to ensure he does not “bumble” the country into an “endless war."

https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1228009239932755969

Trump is expected to veto the legislation, and there are currently not enough votes in the Republican-controlled Senate to override his veto.

Despite the threat of a veto, Kaine said he thinks the vote will impact Trump’s decision making when it comes to foreign policy, “If he vetoes it, I think the fact of us getting it to him may still influence his thinking.”