Senate rejects effort to rein in Trump’s power to fight Iran alongside Israel

JTA – The Senate late on Wednesday rejected a measure that would have required President Donald Trump to get congressional approval to continue fighting against Iran. 

The measure was initiated by Democrats, who have raised questions about the process by which Trump initiated the war alongside Israel on Saturday. The War Powers Act requires US presidents to seek congressional approval for wars in advance or shortly after their start unless there is an imminent threat to the United States. Trump and his administration officials have given mixed signals about whether a threat was considered direct and imminent or not. 

The vote took place along largely partisan lines, with two exceptions. Rand Paul, the Republican from Kentucky, who tends to oppose international intervention, backed the measure. John Fetterman, the pro-Israel Democrat from Pennsylvania, voted no. 

The House of Representatives, narrowly controlled by the Republicans, also voted mostly along party lines. 

The votes come as multiple polls have shown that a majority of Americans, about 60%, oppose US participation in the war.