Senate backs Iran war powers resolution as GOP pressure grows on Trump’s deal to end war

“If there is some deal that is struck, I would expect at some point Congress would have some sort of vote on it,” Thune told reporters. “Whether that’s a resolution of disapproval or something, I don’t know the answer to that,” he added.

Asked what role Congress should play in approving whatever comes out of the talks, Thune said many senators are still “anxious to hear more” from officials involved in the negotiations.

The comments came shortly before the Senate voted 50-48 to adopt a House-approved Iran war powers resolution directing an end to U.S. hostilities, a bipartisan rebuke that underscores growing congressional unease with Trump’s Iran policy.

Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined most Democrats in voting for the resolution. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., joined most Republicans in opposition.

The vote marked a notable escalation in Congress’s effort to reassert its role over both the military and diplomatic tracks of Trump’s Iran policy. Lawmakers in both parties have pushed for limits on further U.S. military action against Iran, while also demanding more information about the administration’s memorandum of understanding with Tehran.

There is growing Republican pressure on the White House to involve Congress and potentially submit any final Iran agreement to the legislative branch for review.

Several GOP senators have praised Trump’s effort to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but they have also raised concerns about possible sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets, a proposed reconstruction fund and whether Tehran will accept enforceable limits on its nuclear program.

Last week Thune told reporters that nuclear components of the deal could trigger congressional notification requirements.

The U.S. and Iran met last weekend in Switzerland along with representatives from Pakistan and Qatar to discuss terms for a final deal and an end to fighting in Lebanon involving Israel.