The U.S. Senate just handed President Donald Trump a blank check to keep Iran in check. On Friday, senators voted 53-47 to reject a resolution that would have required Congressional approval before escalating military actions against Iran. This decision keeps the commander-in-chief’s hands untied, for better or worse.
The Guardian reported that the resolution, pushed by Virginia’s Senator Tim Kaine, aimed to rein in Trump’s ability to strike Iran without lawmakers’ consent. It was a bold attempt to remind the White House that Congress, not the president, declares war.
Yet, the Senate’s vote signals trust in Trump’s strategy—or perhaps fear of looking weak on national security. Kaine’s resolution came as tensions with Iran simmered, with Trump claiming Iran paused its nuclear ambitions after U.S. and Israeli bombings.
“Congress declares war,” Kaine thundered on the Senate floor. His plea for checks and balances fell flat, as most Republicans saw it as handcuffing a president facing a rogue regime.
The vote split largely along party lines, with nearly all Democrats backing Kaine’s resolution. Only one Republican, Kentucky’s Rand Paul, crossed the aisle to support it. Paul’s vote reflects his consistent disdain for unchecked executive power, a rare principled stand in today’s polarized Capitol.
One Democrat, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman, broke ranks and voted against the resolution. His defection raised eyebrows, suggesting some Democrats are wary of curbing Trump’s Iran policy. Fetterman’s move might signal pragmatism or just political survival in a swing state.
Trump, meanwhile, sounded confident at the White House on Friday. “Time will tell,” he said, dismissing Iran’s nuclear threat for now.
His assurance might comfort some, but it sidesteps the deeper question of who gets to decide when bombs start falling. The Senate’s decision leaves Trump free to bomb Iran’s nuclear sites if he suspects uranium enrichment resumes.
This unchecked power alarms those who see Congress as a necessary brake on impulsive military moves. Yet, supporters argue a strong president needs flexibility to counter Iran’s ambitions.
Kaine’s resolution was rooted in the Constitution’s division of war powers. “Once declared, the president is the commander-in-chief,” Kaine said, emphasizing Congress’s role. His argument, though, didn’t sway a Senate wary of tying Trump’s hands mid-crisis.
Rand Paul’s vote with Democrats was a flicker of bipartisan hope. His libertarian streak often clashes with GOP loyalty, and here he prioritized principle over party. It’s a reminder that some Republicans still question executive overreach, even under Trump.
Fetterman’s vote against the resolution shocked some Democrats. He didn’t explain his reasoning, but it suggests not all Democrats are ready to challenge Trump’s Iran policy. Perhaps he sees political risk in appearing soft on national security.
The 53-47 tally shows how divided the Senate remains on foreign policy. Republicans, minus Paul, rallied behind Trump, betting on his instincts to handle Iran. Democrats, minus Fetterman, pushed for oversight, fearing a repeat of past endless wars.
Trump’s claim that Iran’s nuclear program is on hold may have swayed some senators. His bombings, paired with Israel’s, seem to have sent a message. But relying on Trump’s gut to dictate military action leaves little room for democratic debate.
With the resolution dead, Trump holds the reins on Iran. He’s signaled he’ll keep bombing if Iran restarts uranium enrichment, a prospect that keeps tensions high. Congress, for now, is relegated to the sidelines, watching and waiting.
