For the third time, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic attempt to force the withdrawal of U.S. troops from hostilities in Iran without congressional approval of President Trump's Operation Epic Fury. The vote was 53-47, with only Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) dissenting. Democrats, led by Senator Christopher Murphy (D-CT), have vowed to keep forcing these votes to assert congressional authority, even as they threaten to demand public testimony from senior administration officials on the war's objectives and costs.

The administration has only briefed lawmakers in classified sessions. Republicans argue the president has consulted Congress and that troops need support. The vote highlights the deep partisan divide over the conflict, which began on February 28th.

Meanwhile, the administration declared a second wartime emergency to bypass Congress on over $23 billion in arms sales to the UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan, actions Democrats condemn as circumventing oversight.