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

The US Congress approved a concurrent resolution on Tuesday urging President Donald Trump to end hostilities in Iran. This marks the first time both chambers have passed such a measure since the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

President Trump criticized the resolution, calling it "poorly timed and meaningless". On his Truth Social platform, he wrote that the senators have made his job more difficult but he will get it done anyway.

A concurrent resolution expresses Congress's sentiment or will, unlike other legislation that goes to the president for signing. In 2019, Trump vetoed a joint resolution calling for the withdrawal of forces from Yemen.

Middle East analyst Laura Blumenfeld told the BBC it is "more of a slap on a wrist than a handcuff, because it has no legal binding". She said it reflects the American people's sentiments.

The passage is significant as it adds pressure on the White House to end the Iran war, which is unpopular due to spiking petrol prices. The same measure passed the House earlier this month with a 215-208 vote, where four Republicans joined Democrats.

A White House official said that with the ceasefire agreed on April 7, there are no hostilities from which to withdraw. The official also noted the measure passed only because two Republican senators were absent: Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick.

Four Republican senators voted with Democrats: Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Bill Cassidy. Democratic Senator John Fetterman was the only member of his party to vote against.

This is the latest sign of division among Trump's fellow Republicans ahead of the November midterms, which will determine if the party retains its slim majorities. Some Republicans have resisted the president, rejecting his $1.8 billion "anti-weaponisation" fund and approving Ukraine aid.

Tuesday's vote was the 10th time Senate Democrats forced a war powers vote since the war began. The same day, the Pentagon asked Congress for about $80 billion, mostly for the Iran war.

Federal law requires congressional approval for military actions lasting more than 60 days. US-Israel strikes on Iran began February 28, though the Trump administration argues the April ceasefire reset the clock. The White House can also extend the deadline by 30 days citing national security.

Currently, the US and Iran have agreed to continue a ceasefire and are working toward an end of hostilities under a memorandum of understanding signed by both presidents last week. Under that memo, Washington and Tehran have 60 days to negotiate a broader agreement on ending Iran's nuclear programme.