War

The Senate's Failure To Rein in Trump on Iran Is Part of a Long History of Congress Abdicating Its War Powers

War making in "the power of a single man" is not what the Founders intended.

Gene Healy | 6.26.2026 3:45 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google

Media Contact & Reprint Requests

(Adani Samat/Wikimedia Commons)

On Tuesday, the Senate briefly asserted its constitutional prerogative over war and peace. In a 50–48 vote, with four Republicans joining the majority, it passed a resolution directing President Donald Trump to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran.

Politico called it a "surprise blow to Trump." The New York Times described it as "the most significant bipartisan rebuke yet of the conflict." 

But the moment didn't last. The next day, after Trump—"mad as a murder hornet"—berated the Republican defectors at lunch, he got a do-over. Late Wednesday night, Senate Republicans forced a vote on a parallel War Powers Resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D–Va.). With Sen. Bill Cassidy (R–La.) switching sides and Sen. Rand Paul (R–Ky.) voting "present," it failed 47–50–1.

The episode underscored Trump's continued dominance over the GOP caucus. More importantly, it was a reminder of how little practical power Congress retains over the most important decision the Constitution entrusts to it. 

It's been nearly four months since Trump launched Operation Epic Fury, demanding "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER" from Iran while denying that the United States was at war. Along the way, Trump has admitted he was "shocked" Iran launched missiles at other Gulf states—"nobody expected that," he said—and seemed caught off guard by how easily the Strait of Hormuz could be........

© Reason.com