Senate Republicans on Thursday once again blocked a war powers resolution aimed at forcing an immediate withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iran. This marks the latest in a series of attempts by Senate Democrats to end the conflict, which has now stretched into its fifth month.
The resolution, introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., failed to gain sufficient Republican support, mirroring the outcome of a similar effort the previous week. Only a small number of Republican senators have crossed party lines to support these measures.
Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., who had previously expressed dissent and engaged in a heated exchange with President Trump demanding a briefing on the situation, ultimately reversed his vote. Cassidy stated that he used the situation as "leverage to get some information" and acknowledged the complexities, comparing the situation to "All the King's Men," suggesting it is not a clear-cut issue. However, Cassidy drew a firm line, asserting that any deployment of ground troops into Iran would necessitate a declaration of war from Congress.
Concerns regarding the depletion of military munitions have surfaced throughout the conflict and have again become a focal point. The Pentagon and War Secretary Pete Hegseth have appealed to Congress for increased defense funding. A report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies indicated a significant decrease in Patriot and THAAD interceptor missiles from prewar inventories. According to the report, inventories of these missiles dropped from 2,330 and 452, respectively, to 759 and 234.
Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., acknowledged that the dwindling munitions stockpile is "concerning" but suggested that a closed-door briefing on the matter could alleviate worries. When asked if he had received adequate information, Tillis stated he had not.
Democrats have criticized the administration's handling of the conflict. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., argued that the "basic failure to plan the amount of munitions that would be necessary is a fatal failing that is directly the responsibility of the commander-in-chief," attributing the war's initiation to what he described as an impulsive decision by President Trump without clear objectives or adequate planning.
Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has discussed the Pentagon's request for $80 billion in additional funding to support operations related to Iran.