For the first time since 1973: Senate passes bill ordering Trump to end Iran war

The Senate, the upper house of the US legislature, has passed a resolution ordering President Donald Trump to seek formal congressional authorization to end military action against Iran or continue the war. The resolution was voted down by 50 votes to 48 in the Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday.

A similar resolution passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives earlier this month. However, despite passing both chambers, the concurrent resolution will not be sent to President Trump for approval and is not legally binding. As a result, analysts see it as a largely "symbolic" move, although politically significant.

The vote comes nearly five months after the Trump administration's recent peace deal with Iran sparked ongoing skepticism among some Republican members of Congress and the outbreak of war.

The first historic decision in the history of half a century

This is the first time since the War Powers Resolution was passed in the United States in 1973 that both houses of the US Congress have passed a similar resolution to stop any military action.

This joint resolution does not go to the president's desk for signature like a regular bill. Earlier in 2019, Trump vetoed a joint resolution of Congress regarding the withdrawal of US troops from the war in Yemen. But this time, there will be no such option.

"Since the proposal is not legally binding, it could be seen as a gentle slap on the hand or a warning, rather than a handcuff," Middle East political analyst Laura Blumenfeld told the BBC.

But he added, "Even if it doesn't have legal effect, it makes it clear what the American people are thinking right now."

The proposal will further increase pressure on the White House to end the war, especially as the war has led to rising global oil prices.

Cracks in the Republican camp and vote counting

The resolution passed the House of Representatives earlier this month by a vote of 215-208, with four Republican members joining Democrats.

Four Republican senators—Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Bill Cassidy—joined the Democrats in Tuesday's Senate vote, while John Fetterman was the only Democratic senator to vote against the measure.

However, a White House official claimed to the BBC that the resolution was only passed because the party's two influential Republican senators, Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick, were absent.

He further argued that there is currently no war situation that would require the withdrawal of US troops after a ceasefire agreement was signed on April 7.

The split within Trump's party has become a cause for concern for the Republican party ahead of the November midterm elections, which will determine whether Republicans can hold onto their narrow majorities in both houses of Congress.

Senators from his own party have recently opposed Trump's decisions on several issues, including providing aid to Ukraine and rejecting Trump's planned $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund.

Martial law and the 60-day legal deadline

Democrats have tried to pass the War Powers Act 10 times in the Senate since the Iran war began. Coincidentally, on the same day as the vote, the Pentagon requested an additional $80 billion from Congress, the bulk of which would be spent on the cost of the war with Iran.

Under US federal law, military operations in any country cannot last more than 60 days without congressional approval. The US and Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28. However, the Trump administration claims that the April ceasefire agreement resets this period. In addition, the White House can extend this period for another 30 days in the interests of national security.

Currently, the United States and Iran have agreed to maintain a ceasefire and are working towards a permanent end to hostilities under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two countries' presidents last week. Under the deal, Washington and Tehran will have 60 days to reach a comprehensive bilateral agreement on curbing Iran's nuclear program.