The United States Senate on Tuesday advanced a war powers resolution aimed at requiring congressional authorisation for continued military action against Iran.
The upper chamber voted 50-47 in support of the measure introduced by Tim Kaine.
Four Republican senators — Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul — voted in favour of the motion, while Democratic senator John Fetterman voted against it.
Three Republican senators — John Cornyn, Thom Tillis and Tommy Tuberville — did not cast votes.
Kaine calls for Senate debate
Speaking before the vote, Kaine urged lawmakers to support the resolution so it could proceed to a full Senate debate.
He argued that senators had a limited opportunity to reassess US military involvement with Iran during what he described as a “fragile ceasefire”.
“This vote this week to discharge this matter from the committee and finally bring it to the floor of the Senate is different than any of the seven votes we’ve had before,” he said.
Criticism over handling of Iran diplomacy
Kaine also accused President Donald Trump of dismissing diplomatic efforts involving Iran without consulting Congress.
The Virginia Democrat said he hoped the Senate would approve an eighth motion to discharge the resolution from committee and allow an open public debate on the conflict.
Bipartisan support emerges
The vote reflected limited bipartisan backing for greater congressional oversight of US military engagement involving Iran.
The resolution’s advancement now opens the way for possible consideration on the Senate floor in the coming days.
