The U.S. Senate passed a resolution requiring President Donald Trump to consult with Congress on any military actions, including in the conflict with Iran, according to Reuters.
The vote took place on May 19. Fifty senators voted in favor, while 47 opposed. The authors of the initiative insist that, according to the Constitution, the power to send troops to war belongs to Congress, not the president.
If the document passes further voting, Trump will need Congress’s permission to continue the war with Iran.
As Reuters notes, the resolution must also pass through the House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Republicans, and gain two-thirds of the votes in both the House and the Senate to overcome the expected veto from Trump.
Republican Party representatives have blocked seven previous attempts to advance similar resolutions in the Senate.
According to the U.S. War Powers Act of 1973, the president can conduct military actions for 60 days, after which they must either be terminated, receive congressional authorization, or be granted a 30-day extension. The 60-day period ended on May 1. On the same day, Trump announced that a temporary truce with Iran had “put an end” to the military actions.
All news on the Middle East war can be read in our storyline.
