24/06/2026 10:02 - Internacionales
The United States Senate delivered one of the most significant political rebukes to President Donald Trump since the beginning of the Iran war. In a historic vote on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the upper chamber approved a resolution ordering the withdrawal of US forces from the conflict, unless the president seeks explicit congressional authorization to continue hostilities.
The final count was 50 votes in favor and 48 against, a tight but meaningful margin that included support from four Republican senators who broke with their own party: Rand Paul (Kentucky), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Bill Cassidy (Louisiana). The measure had already been approved by the House of Representatives earlier in June 2026.
This is a mechanism established under the War Powers Act of 1973, a US federal law created after the Vietnam War to check the president's power to commit the country to an armed conflict. It requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces and limits military action to 60 days without congressional authorization.
As a "concurrent resolution," it does not have the force of law, does not require presidential signature, and cannot be vetoed. Its value is primarily political and symbolic, sending a clear message about the Legislative branch's lack of support for continuing a war.
Although the Iran war is in a pause phase following a preliminary agreement reached on June 17, 2026, the vote reflects growing political fatigue with the conflict within the United States. The US Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the exclusive power to declare war.
The White House has argued that Trump acted within his powers as commander-in-chief, citing a national emergency. However, this vote reasserts congressional authority over military engagements.
President Trump reacted angrily via his social media platform Truth Social, calling the vote "untimely and useless." "I have Iran against the ropes, ready to fall... and the Senate decides to hold a poorly timed vote," he wrote.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) celebrated the approval, stating that "the message is unequivocal: the administration must withdraw US forces from hostilities in Iran."
The vote comes at a delicate moment. A 14-point memorandum signed between the United States and Iran established a ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days. Additionally, a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran was agreed upon. Some Republican legislators, like Bill Cassidy, have criticized this agreement, noting that "Iran is ending up stronger than at the beginning."
| Chamber | Votes For | Votes Against |
|---|---|---|
| Senate | 50 | 48 |
| House of Representatives | 215 | 208 |
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which approximately 20% of the world's petroleum passes. Control of this strategic passage has been central to the conflict.
The War Powers Act of 1973 was enacted over President Richard Nixon's veto following the Vietnam War, as Congress sought to reclaim its constitutional authority over military commitments.
Truth Social is a social media platform launched by Donald Trump in 2022, which he uses as his primary communication channel with the public.
The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, has resulted in more than 3,700 deaths. The resolution seeks to legally curb the president's ability to initiate or continue military operations without congressional oversight, reigniting a fundamental constitutional debate about war powers in the United States.
The bipartisan nature of this vote demonstrates that concerns about executive overreach in military matters transcend party lines, representing a significant moment in the ongoing tension between presidential authority and congressional constitutional powers.
Sources: US Senate Records, House of Representatives, War Powers Act of 1973. Vote conducted June 23, 2026.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
