GOP Holds With Trump on Iran War as Cracks Emerge and Congressional Deadline Nears

Senate Republicans blocked a fifth Democratic attempt to end President Donald Trump’s war in Iran as the 60-day congressional deadline under the War Powers Resolution rapidly approaches.

The failed vote occurred on the 54th day of the conflict, known as Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28, 2026. Despite Trump extending a fragile ceasefire for several additional days, citing Iran’s government as “seriously fractured,” Democrats pressed forward with their effort to compel administration officials to testify on the war’s constitutionality.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., who forced the vote, criticized the ongoing military engagement, stating, “This war has simply been a disaster, and there is absolutely no reason we should go full steam ahead back into it.”

Senate Republicans have consistently resisted Democratic war powers resolutions since the conflict began, with Democrats indicating they have six additional resolutions prepared for future votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., affirmed the Democratic caucus’s unity, saying, “Our caucus is united and focused on ending the war in Iran,” and pledged to continue forcing votes until either the war ends or Republicans fulfill their constitutional duty.

While most Republicans remain aligned with Trump, growing unease exists within the GOP as the May 1 deadline nears—the date by which the president must formally seek congressional authorization to continue operations under the War Powers Act of 1973. The law permits a single 30-day extension only if the president certifies in writing that additional time is necessary for the safe withdrawal of U.S. Troops.

At least three Senate Republicans—Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; and John Curtis, R-Utah—have publicly stated they would not support extending the war beyond the 60-day threshold. Collins emphasized during the Semafor World Economy Summit that if hostilities continue to the 60th day, she believes the War Powers Act requires congressional authorization for the president to continue the war in Iran.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., noted that Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has been working on an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) behind the scenes that would allow lawmakers to influence the next steps in Iran. Thune said Republicans would assess their conference’s position on the proposal.

Lawmakers from both parties have also raised concerns about the war’s financial burden. The administration has not yet submitted a formal spending request to Congress, though estimates have ranged from $50 billion to $200 billion. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought told the Senate Budget Committee that the request was “not yet” ready and declined to provide a cost estimate, stating that daily expenses fluctuate and make an average difficult to determine.

As the conflict enters its eighth week, the approaching May 1 deadline presents a constitutional test for Congress, with many lawmakers viewing it as a moment of reckoning: either approve continued military operations or uphold the legal requirement to terminate hostilities absent congressional authorization.