Congress passes war powers measure for first time, rebuking Trump's war with Iran

The vote marks the first time that both chambers of Congress have approved a concurrent resolution instructing a president to end a military action since the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted. Its passage is significant because it adds to the pressure the White House is facing to find an end to the Iran war, as petrol prices have spiked and public opposition to the war has increased. But a White House official told the BBC that with the ceasefire agreed on 7 April, there are no hostilities from which to withdraw American forces. The official also said the measure only passed because two Republican senators were absent: Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick. Four Republican senators voted with Democrats in support of the resolution: Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy. Democratic Senator John Fetterman was the only member of his party to vote against it. It was the latest sign of division among Trump's fellow Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in November, which will determine whether the party can hold on to its slender majorities in both chambers of Congress. Some Republicans have resisted the president recently, including by rejecting his plans to create a $1.8 bn (£1.3bn) "anti-weaponisation" fund and approving Ukraine aid . Tuesday's vote was the 10th time that Senate Democrats have forced a war powers vote since the start of the war. …