The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to direct President Donald Trump to stop U.S. military action against Iran, Reuters reported, joining the House in a rare challenge to a president’s war authority.
The measure passed 50-48, with four Republican senators joining most Democrats. Reuters said it is the first time both chambers of Congress have approved a war powers resolution directing a president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities since the War Powers Act was enacted in 1973.
The resolution comes amid concern in Congress over the conflict with Iran, which began February 28 after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran. The House passed the measure earlier this month by a 215-208 vote.
The White House said the Senate vote has no legal significance and argued that hostilities ended with an April 7 ceasefire. Legal experts said the issue may need to be settled in court.
Democratic lawmakers said Congress has constitutional authority over decisions to take the country to war.
