Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., listens during a news conference after a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill,Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)2026-04-15T18:56:40Z WASHINGTON (AP) The Republican-led Senate on Wednesday rejected the latest Democratic attempt to halt President Donald Trumps war in Iran, turning aside a resolution that would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action. The 47-52 vote was the fourth time this year that the Senate has voted to cede its war powers to the president in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. Republicans say they will keep faith in Trumps wartime leadership, for now, citing Irans nuclear capabilities and the high stakes of withdrawal. But GOP lawmakers are also anxious for the conflict to end and they may not defer to the executive branch indefinitely. Some Republicans have already made clear that they are eyeing future votes that could become an important test for the president if the war drags on. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days of its start a deadline that will arrive at the end of this month. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension of that deadline, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the administration to soon lay out a plan for the end of the conflict. After the 60-day or 90-day deadline, its time to fish or cut bait, said Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.I think that the administration would be wise to put together what would look like a well-founded authorization of military force and a funding strategy, Tillis said. Read More Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been talking to colleagues about putting together a resolution that would authorize the war beyond that time period. Republican Sens. John Curtis of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine have also said they would like to see congressional action. I have been clear from the beginning of this military operation that the Presidents power is not unlimited as Commander in Chief, as the Constitution gives Congress an essential role in matters of war and peace, Collins said in a statement. If this conflict exceeds the 60 days specified in the War Powers Act, or if the President deploys troops on the ground, I believe that Congress should have to authorize those actions. Democrats say war is illegal, unnecessaryDemocrats have vowed to force votes on the Senate floor as long as the war continues.As our troops continue to sacrifice whatever is asked of them, we senators need to do the absolute minimum required of us, said Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Iraq war veteran who lost both legs in combat, before Wednesdays vote.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that with gas prices climbing the American people literally cannot afford for Republicans to forgo another opportunity to work with Democrats to end Trumps disastrous war. War votes are still uncertainEven as several Republicans are calling for eventual congressional action, it remains unclear if Republican leaders will go along. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said this week that at this point most of us I think feel pretty good about what the military has achieved there.Thune would not commit to a vote. But he did say that they do need a plan for how to wind this down, how to get an outcome that actually leads to a safer, more secure Middle East and, by extension, a stronger national security position for the United States.Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said that at the 60-day deadline, Congress isnt going to jump up and say thats it, its one second past 60 days, everybody come home.Some of the people who want a vote just want to embarrass Trump, Kennedy said.I want to see us achieve our objective in Iran, Kennedy said. And then I want to see us get out.___Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim and Steven Sloan contributed to this report. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site