Senate Blocks Iran War Powers Resolution

The resolution was authored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who has long been a supporter of Congress asserting itself to greenlight authorizations of war.

The vote came after days of complaints from Democrats on the Iran issue.

Democrats have also questioned the veracity of Trump’s claim that the Iranian nuclear sites that were targeted were “completely destroyed.” That was especially the case after a preliminary classified report indicated that the strikes did not destroy core components of the Iran nuclear program and likely only set it back by a matter of months. More recent statements from the CIA and Trump’s head of national intelligence have disputed the report.

Those questions were still unanswered after top administration officials — including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine — held a classified briefing for members Thursday.

While lawmakers appeared satisfied by the answers they received, they were still unsure how much of a setback the strikes will prove to be for Tehran.

More congressional Republicans had been expected to jump on board with the war powers push, but some backed off after Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on Monday that has held up in recent days.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who has found himself in a lengthy spat with the administration over the strikes and the party’s mammoth tax package, withdrew his support for a war powers resolution he had introduced with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).

The lion’s share of Republicans have given the administration its full backing.