Senate adopts House-passed Iran resolution in symbolic rebuke of Trump

Washington — The Senate on Tuesday approved a House-passed war powers resolution on Iran, marking the first time such a measure has made it through both chambers and signifying a rare rebuke of President Trump's handling of the conflict. In a 50 to 48 vote, four Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky — joined the bulk of Senate Democrats in support of the measure. One Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, opposed. Two Republicans — Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick — did not vote. The resolution directs the president to "remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran," unless Congress declares war or authorizes the use of military force. But the measure is a concurrent resolution, which doesn't carry the force of law and doesn't require the president's signature, meaning it is largely symbolic. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer encouraged Republicans to join Democrats to support the measure ahead of the vote Tuesday morning, previewing the effort to "once again put Republicans on the record on whether they want Trump's disastrous war to continue." "Republicans can complain about Trump's war, his secrecy and his disastrous deal with Iran all they want behind closed doors," the New York Democrat said. …