Senate GOP blocks measure to end Iran war despite concerns about lack of endgame

Senate Republicans on Thursday defeated a motion to advance a war powers resolution that would direct President Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from hostilities against Iran, even though a growing number of GOP lawmakers are voicing concerns about mounting casualties and how long the war has dragged on.

The chamber voted 47 to 49 on a motion to discharge the war powers resolution out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) crossed the aisle to vote with Democrats in support of it.

Centrist Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) was the only Democrat to vote against the motion to advance the resolution. 

Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who have previously voted for resolutions to curtail Trump’s authority as commander in chief, missed the vote.

Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) were also absent. 

Paul told reporters Wednesday that the conflict has left the United States in a weaker position.

“I think the Iran war has not been a success. I’ve been opposed to the Iran war from the beginning. I think by any objective measure we’re worse off than we were before the war,” Paul said after a Senate hearing.

Other Republicans have raised concerns about mounting civilian casualties and the lack of a clear strategy from the administration to end the conflict.

“There’s got to be an off-ramp, that’s all there is to it,” said........

© The Hill