Iran war powers resolution failed on a 47-53 vote Wednesday, with both Alaska Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan voting against it.
The resolution failed on a 47-53 vote, with both Alaska Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan voting against it. “We in Congress can debate the merits of the War Powers Act, but the hard reality is that the president has committed U.
S. troops to active engagement in combat with an enemy that has targeted and killed Americans for decades,” Murkowski said in a statement. The measure would have required congressional approval before any further attacks, giving lawmakers a chance to assert their authority over the conflict andon a war affecting U.S. service members, civilians and the future of the region, according to Associated Press reporting. The vote split largely along party lines, with Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voting in favor and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voting against. The measure was written by Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine. “We have lost six soldiers in this fight, with the potential for more casualties. What our troops need now is for Congress, and this country, to show that they are supported. It is for this reason that I oppose Sen. Kaine’s war powers resolution, based on the practical implications of its passage,” Murkowski said. Murkowski said the resolution’s requirement to remove troops from hostilities would leave “no room for operations that have already started to reach an even partially successful conclusion to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities.”, Sullivan said, “I voted against the war powers resolution today. This isn’t a partisan issue for me — I’ve always supported, regardless of party, the President’s authority under Article II to protect America’s national security interests and to protect our troops.”The vote was largely split on party lines with many democrats voicing concerns about the legality of operations in Iran.demanded that Congress be briefed immediately on the administration’s plans. “Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon, but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home,” he said. Murkowski said the president should have sought authorization from Congress before striking Iran “on this scale,” and should have involved U.S. allies earlier. “There is no question that the president should have sought authorization from Congress before striking Iran on this scale, likewise, bringing in our allies ahead of time as they now are equally in danger,” she said. “However, the abrupt cessation of all offensive operations would not leave any Americans — soldiers, diplomats or civilians — in the Middle East in a safer position.” Murkowski said the president has acknowledged that “no one knows the full scope and duration of military operations that may be necessary,” and that Congress should now define the scope of the conflict by debating an authorization for the use of military force. A similar war powers resolution is expected before the House Thursday morning. Alaska’s News Source reached out to Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, for comment and have not yet received a response.after voting with Democrats to end “hostilities” with Venezuela in a war powers resolution vote after the U.S. attack.l to “be engaged in hostilities within or against Venezuela,” and would direct the president to terminate the use of armed forces against Venezuela “unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force.”Copyright 2026 KTUU. All rights reserved.
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