Senate Democrats' attempt to limit Trump's war-making authority fails

David Lightman, McClatchy Washington Bureau on Jun 28, 2025

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WASHINGTON —The Senate Friday voted 53 to 47 against giving Congress more of a voice in any effort by President Donald Trump to strike Iran.

California’s senators voted for the measure.

“Regardless of whether or not you support this president generally or you do not, the Constitution charges the Congress, not the president, with the power to declare war.,” said Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., in a Senate floor speech shortly before the vote.

“There may be a fog of war and a murky uncertainty concerning the battle damage assessment, but there is no ambiguity here when it comes to the Constitution,” said Schiff, who voted for the resolution.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., introduced the plan, which says Congress directs Trump “to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.”

Added Schiff, “We need to weigh the benefits and risks for our constituents and for the country as a whole. Because a decision like this one should be insulated from partisan politics and not made with haste or with blinders on. “

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., who also wanted to limit Trump’s ability to strike Iran, urged consulting Congress.

“Before any further military action is taken, President Trump must come before Congress. That’s not just a matter of process — it’s a matter of law. Trump risks igniting a wider war in the region that puts American lives at risk and that he himself has warned repeatedly against,” Padilla said earlier this week.

Republicans countered that Trump acted properly. “National security moves fast. That is why our Constitution gives the commander-in-chief real authority. President Trump seized the moment – responsibly, constitutionally and decisively. America and our allies are safer today because of it.,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said in a floor speech.

The vote was largely along party lines, with Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voting with Democrats for the measure, while Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., voted no.

The U.S. launched strikes Saturday against Iran’s nuclear facilities after Israel attacked that country earlier. This week, Trump said Israel and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire.

The White House announced Thursday, “From nuclear regulators to foreign policy experts to members of the intelligence community, every knowledgeable person is in agreement that President Donald J. Trump obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

Many Democrats, though, said after a briefing that day by administration officials that it was difficult to tell the extent of the damage.

Presidential authority to take military action in a foreign country has been debated for years. Congress could formally declare war, but has not done so since 1942. It could provide authority in advance, as it did before the 1991 Gulf War and in the Iraq invasion of 2003.

Under the 1973 War Powers Act, a president has to send a written report to top congressional officials within 48 hours of deployment. Trump struck Iran Saturday and sent that report to Congress Monday.

Most congressional Republicans have been strong supporters of his action.

“The president seized a strategic opportunity to restore deterrence. In response to Iran’s ongoing war. U.S. forces dealt a devastating blow to the regime’s pursuit of nuclear weapons,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky..

Democrats, though, were incensed that Trump had not consulted with their party leaders before the military action, and did not formally brief members of Congress until late in the week.

“President Trump made a unilateral decision without notifying, consulting or getting approval from Congress,” Kaine told NPR Friday.

“That is just flat wrong, and that’s why I filed a War Powers resolution to get senators to weigh in on the question of should the nation be at war with Iran without a vote of Congress? I don’t think we should. Some might think we should,” he said.

Even after being briefed by administration officials Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he backed Kaine’s effort.

“Anybody who sat in that (briefing) and is honest with themselves would recognize that we need to enforce the War Powers Act and force the administration to provide answers to some very important questions about Iran and our national security,” Schumer said.