Senate Fails to Override Trump Veto of Iran War Powers Measure

(Bloomberg) -- The Senate failed to override President Donald Trump’s veto of a resolution that would have required his administration to seek clearance from Congress for any military action against Iran.

The 49-44 vote Thursday was short of the two-thirds majority needed to overturn the president’s veto. Congress passed the measure earlier this year following the administration’s targeted killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani at the Baghdad Airport.

Trump vetoed the measure Wednesday, calling it a “very insulting resolution” and part of a Democratic attempt to divide the Republican Party, some of whose members expressed concerns about the president’s constitutional authority to carry out the strike.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged members earlier Thursday to let Trump’s veto stand.

“We must maintain the measure of deterrence we restored with the decisive strike on Soleimani,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “That starts today with upholding the president’s rightful veto of a misguided war powers resolution.”

Trump Vetoes Bill That Would Limit His War Powers Against Iran

The resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, would have barred U.S. troops from engaging in hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military without authorization from Congress.

“It is not insulting, it’s our job,” Kaine said in response to Trump’s veto message. “It was introduced to stop a rush to an unnecessary war.”

Kaine said he knew that there would not be enough votes in the Senate to override Trump’s veto but hopes his resolution “will affect his behavior.”

Eight Senate Republicans voted for the resolution in February, including Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky, who said the administration’s explanation of the authorities involved in the strike was inadequate and condescending to lawmakers who wanted to debate its merits.

Trump said Wednesday the handful of Republicans who voted for the resolution helped Democrats and “played right into their hands.”

The administration has argued that killing Soleimani was necessary to prevent imminent attacks on Americans. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo told the House Foreign Affairs Committee in February that the strike at the Baghdad airport “reduced risks to Americans.”

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