Florida Senators Aid in Blocking Iran War Powers Limit
Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott helped defeat the bipartisan measure 53-47, setting up a House vote Thursday on requiring congressional approval for military actions against Iran.
Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan measure Wednesday that would have required congressional authorization for continued U.S. military operations against Iran, with the House set to vote on a similar resolution Thursday.
The Senate voted 47-53 against advancing the bill, largely along party lines. Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who cosponsored the measure with Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, said the Trump administration briefed lawmakers on the Iran strikes only after the fact in a closed, classified session and showed no intent to seek congressional approval beforehand. "No advanced notice. No authorization. We'll give you a hearing after the fact and classified. We can't really talk about it," Kaine said. "I said, it's convinced many of us in the room that you've decided that you will never come to Congress." Paul voted with Democrats, while Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans to block the measure.
House Speaker Mike Johnson argued Wednesday that halting operations now "would put the country in serious harm" and "would certainly jeopardize the lives of our troops." South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, a Trump supporter, nonetheless expressed concern about an extended conflict. "I do not want boots on the ground. That is my No. 1 concern," Mace said, adding she worried a prolonged war could cost trillions of dollars and increase U.S. casualties.
For Treasure Coast families with active-duty service members stationed at nearby installations, the debate over troop commitments and a potential open-ended conflict carries direct stakes. Kaine vowed the push would continue regardless of Thursday's outcome, saying he has additional war powers resolutions prepared. "Thursday will be the first effort of all Congress going on the record about this, but I can assure you it's not going to be the last," he said.
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