The U.S. Senate once again rejected a bill sponsored by the Democratic Party on the 15th. The bill requires President Trump to end military action against Iran and obtain congressional authorization before taking further military action against Iran.
The Senate vote that day was 47 in favor and 52 against. One Republican senator abstained and the bill was not passed. Since Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate, this result was expected.
This is the fourth time since the United States launched military action against Iran in late February that the Senate has rejected a bill proposed by Democrats to limit the president's war powers.
The Democratic Party said it would continue to propose similar bills until the war against Iran ends or Congress authorizes continued military action. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, spoke in Congress on the 14th and said that Democrats have submitted 10 bills to limit the president's war powers and intend to introduce similar bills every week as long as the conflict with Iran continues.
According to the U.S. Constitution, only Congress can authorize war. A bill passed by the U.S. Congress in 1973 stipulates that the U.S. president can only take limited military action without congressional authorization during a national emergency triggered by an attack or imminent threat against the United States. In response to the U.S. military action against Iran, many Democratic congressmen spoke out, criticizing the action as being "illegal" without authorization from Congress.