The Senate approved for the first time a war powers resolution seeking to limit President Donald Trump's ability to continue the war in Iran without congressional approval after Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy flipped his vote following his defeat in the Republican primary.
Cassidy joined Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski in backing the resolution. The final vote was 50-47, as John Fetterman was again the lone Democrat who voted against it.
"While I support the administration's efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury," Cassidy said in a social media publication after the vote. "Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer celebrated the outcome, saying in a statement that "Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to check" Trump. " We are not letting up," he added.
However, the Associated Press noted that three GOP senators were absent on Tuesday and could have blocked the move had they been in the chamber and maintained their stances.
The House is also expected to vote on a similar resolution on Wednesday, with Democrats believing they could also pass it. The outlet noted that even if Congress manages to pass the resolution, it is not clear whether Trump would comply with it, considering that the White House has claimed that hostilities have technically ceased because there is a ceasefire.
The future of the situation is unclear as there not seems to be any tangible progress. Trump said on Monday he was calling of planned attacks scheduled for Tuesday at the request of Gulf leaders to give room for more diplomacy as "serious negotiations" were taking place. He added that the deadline was "two-three days, maybe Friday or Saturday, early next week."
Axios detailed that the request, made by the leaders of the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, was a result of concerns about having their infrastructure targeted by Iran if new strikes took place.
A source with knowledge with the matter said Trump told allies that the Gulf leaders said they didn't "want their oil and energy facilities blown up" by Iranian retaliation.
In the opinion of the Gulf leaders, Trump added, "a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond."
However, another report detailed that Iran's latest demands to end the war appear to be largely unchanged from previous ones.
Reuters detailed that demands include ending hostilities on all fronts, the exit of U.S. forces from the region and reparations for damages sustained, as well as the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen funds and an end to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The outlet went on to recall that the wording is quite similar to a proposal Trump called "garbage" last week.
