WASHINGTON — After voting no seven times, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., flipped and cast the deciding vote to advance a War Powers Resolution to rein in President Donald Trump’s war in Iran without authorization from Congress.
In a 50-47 vote, Cassidy joined fellow Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., who have previously supported the measure.
The vote marks the first time a War Powers Resolution on Trump’s Iran conflict has gained enough Republican support to advance to a floor debate.
Cassidy’s vote to advance the resolution by Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine came just three days following a loss in the Louisiana GOP primary in which Trump backed challenger Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La.
In a post on social media after the vote, Cassidy said, “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. In Louisiana, I’ve heard from people, including President Trump’s supporters, who are concerned about this war.”
“Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified,” he continued.
Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, did not vote. Earlier Tuesday, Trump endorsed Cornyn’s Senate primary runoff challenger and state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Earlier votes failed
Efforts to limit Trump’s powers on military action in Iran failed last week in both the House and Senate — though signs of a shift among Republicans showed when Murkowski flipped for the first time to support the measure.
Trump’s war in Iran is making his approval ratings sag as gas prices soar and the operation remains at a stalemate.
A New York Times/Siena poll released Monday showed the president’s approval rating sank to a new low for his second term, at 37%. On the question of Iran, 64% of respondents said Trump made the wrong decision on launching the conflict.
Thirteen American service members have died in the war, which Trump launched alongside Israel on Feb. 28. The latest Pentagon figures reveal 406 service members were injured during Operation Epic Fury, the administration’s name for the conflict.
According to a report released Monday by the Human Rights Activists in Iran organization, which has an address in Virginia, just over 1,700 civilians, including 307 children, have been killed since the war began. Thousands more have been injured, and the report notes the figures “should be understood as minimums.”
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been choked off since the outbreak of the conflict, causing price spikes in the global oil, natural gas and fertilizer markets.
Americans are paying on average $4.53 for a gallon of regular gas, according to AAA.
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