Republicans reject limits on Iran war, despite deepening conflict

Senate Republicans on Tuesday rebuffed a fresh attempt by Democrats to limit President Donald Trump on Iran, despite the worsening military and economic fallout from the nearly month-long war.

The vote — which failed 47-53 — was the third test of GOP support for the president's actions, as oil prices shoot up and the American public appears increasingly disenchanted with the U.S. military campaign. And yet again, all but one Republican backed Trump, signaling the party's continued willingness to give leeway to the commander-in-chief.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the lone GOP senator to support the measure, while Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joined Republicans to vote it down. The tally was identical to two previous roll calls on Iran, including a vote just six days ago.

Opponents of the war gained no GOP support, even as the Pentagon’s plans to deploy another 3,000 troops to the Middle East heightens the possibility that American troops will enter Iran. The U.S. is also facing spiraling gas prices as Tehran blocks shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil supply must pass.

Trump has argued the conflict won’t last long and teased discussions with Iran to end it. The president on Monday called off a threat to strike Iranian power plants in energy infrastructure for five days due to “productive talks” involving the two countries. Iranian officials have denied any negotiations.

Trump on Tuesday said Iran had given an energy-related gift, but gave no details. He suggested it would help with diplomacy, adding it showed “we’re dealing with the right people.”

Democrats vowed to continue forcing Republicans to weigh in on the war despite the failed vote, arguing the whipsawing actions by the Trump administration about the war’s endgame will make it more difficult for officials to defend.

"We should keep putting them on the record," said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the sponsor of the war powers resolution. "The incoherence is clearer and clearer every single day. The cost on consumers is bigger and bigger every day."

Democrats, as part of their push, want Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to agree to testify publicly on Iran. "This is silly,” Murphy said. "We should be having hearings in the Foreign Relations Committee on the actual war that's going on."

GOP committee chairs have largely demurred on publicly questioning top administration officials on their plans for the war.

Several Republicans who have backed past efforts to rein in Trump on issues such as Venezuela — including Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Todd Young of Indiana — opted against defying the president.

Young, ahead of the vote, said he wanted to see the war end soon but is worried about forcing the administration to "impulsively and rapidly pull forces out" of the conflict.

"The American people want this to end quickly, but they also want us to keep them safe and secure," Young said. "And I'm trying to reconcile those two different imperatives right now."

The House will soon follow. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Tuesday that Democrats would bring their own measure to the floor, "sooner rather than later."

A previous measure failed after several Democrats sided with Republicans, and Jeffries emphasized the party aimed to win the next vote.

"When we present something on the floor, it's our determination to win," he said.

Leo Shane and Daniella Cheslow contributed to this report.