Congress Votes to Withdraw U.S. Forces from Iran Hostilities

A view of the U.S. Capitol and National Mall taken on June 13, 2026. Photograph by Rahmat Gul of AP.

A recent vote in Congress showed bipartisan support for a resolution aiming to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities involving Iran. The Senate’s decision, passed with a 50 to 48 vote, included support from four Republican senators: Bill Cassidy from Louisiana, Susan Collins from Maine, Rand Paul from Kentucky, and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska. This resolution, while significant, is not legally binding and does not require approval from the White House.

The House had already approved this measure earlier in the month. After the Senate’s decision, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, representing New York, issued a statement. He emphasized that the measure signifies a firm stance by the legislative branch, which uniquely holds the power to declare war. “Today, Congress stood up to Donald Trump and voted to end his costly, unnecessary, and devastating war with Iran,” Schumer announced.

President Trump reacted to the resolution’s progress through Congress with criticism. Posting on Truth Social, he accused lawmakers of trying to limit his presidential war powers amid what he described as his final efforts to conclude the conflict with Iran. He characterized the move as unpatriotic, suggesting Democrats were motivated by a personal bias against him, which he termed “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” He argued they would prefer to see his administration fail rather than allow him a subsequent victory.

The vote occurred during a sensitive phase in U.S.-Iran relations, with ongoing negotiations aimed at concluding the hostilities permanently. These initial terms have faced criticism from many members across both political parties.