Senate defeats 7th attempt to limit Trump on Iran, despite new GOP defection

Washington — The Senate rejected another attempt by Democrats to limit President Trump's ability to use military force against Iran on Wednesday, but one new Republican senator voted in favor of advancing the measure. A motion to discharge the resolution from committee failed by a vote of 49 to 50. GOP Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky , Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted with most Democrats in favor of moving forward, while Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the sole Democrat to oppose. Murkowski had voted against moving forward with previous iterations of the measure. She told reporters that after a key 60-day window passed earlier this month, she had expected to "get more clarity from the administration," but hasn't received that. The Alaska Republican said she "felt that it was now time" to support the measure "so we can discuss our responsibilities" under the War Powers Resolution. "We're in a different place than we were last time we voted on this," Murkowski said. The resolution , led by Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, would have directed the president to "remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force." Since the war began on Feb. 28, Senate Democrats have attempted to pass resolutions limiting Mr. Trump's authority in Iran on six occasions. …