Murkowski leads GOP push for Iran war authorization vote amid Senate divisions

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is leading a push within the Senate Republican Conference for a vote on a resolution to authorize the use of military force against Iran beyond the 60-day window set by the 1973 War Powers Act, which expired on May 1. The 60-day window, which allowed President Trump to deploy U.S. forces without congressional authorization, began when Trump notified Congress of the strikes against Iran on March 2. The war with Iran began on Feb. 28.

Senate Republican Leader John Thune (S.D.) has not committed to scheduling a vote on Murkowski's authorization resolution. Asked by reporters about the prospect of a vote, Thune replied: "At this point, I don't see that." A senior GOP aide confirmed Monday that Thune has not scheduled a vote on the measure. Murkowski's resolution would need 60 votes to succeed because it was not introduced within 30 days of the war's outbreak, making it non-privileged and requiring Thune's cooperation to secure floor time.

If Republican senators do not get an opportunity to vote on an authorization measure, that could open the door for more Republicans to vote for a Democratic-sponsored resolution ordering Trump to withdraw U.S. troops deployed against Iran. On Thursday, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) broke ranks with GOP leadership and voted for a resolution to halt further military actions against Iran unless authorized by Congress. Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) was the only other Republican to vote to halt military operations against Iran, something he has done consistently since the war began. If three more Republicans join Collins and Paul, the war powers resolution would pass the Senate.

Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) is the only Democratic senator who supports the conflict; all other Democrats oppose it. Democrats plan to vote against any resolution authorizing the use of force against Iran.

Several other Republicans have signaled they could vote to end hostilities if no authorization vote occurs. Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) said the administration needs to provide more information about military plans to justify authorization. "I think that we need details. We need to know what the strategic objectives are. What does success look like?" Tillis told reporters last week. Sen. John Curtis (Utah) said in a statement: "I will not support continued funding for the use of force without Congress weighing in." Sen. Todd Young (Ind.) said last week the administration should work with Congress on an authorization if a ceasefire ends and strikes resume.

An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll of 2,560 U.S. adults conducted April 24-28 found that only 2 in 10 Americans think U.S. operations against Iran have been successful; 6 in 10 think the U.S. made a mistake in using military force.