Senate rejects Iran war-powers resolution 49-50

Seven months into a war, with the Strait of Hormuz closed and nationwide gasoline at $4.48 a gallon, the Senate on Thursday came one vote short of directing President Donald Trump to pull U.S. forces out of Iran. The concurrent resolution would not have reached his desk, and the White House had already said it would not treat such a measure as binding.

The vote was 49-50. Four Republicans voted for it: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. "We've got to break the cycle," Tillis said. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to vote no. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland did not vote.

The measure, H.Con.Res.89, is a concurrent resolution under the War Powers Resolution, the 1973 statute that lets Congress direct the removal of forces from unauthorized hostilities. It was the Senate's 14th such vote since the campaign began on February 28. The House adopted it 214-208 on July 23. The text tells the president to pull U.S. forces out of hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military unless Congress has declared war or specifically authorized the force. It names no deadline. It leaves standing the right to defend against an imminent attack, a defensive troop presence in the region, and forces not engaged in those hostilities.

Concurrent resolutions are not signed. In a July statement the White House said they "lack the force of law" and should be treated as unconstitutional legislative vetoes, and it urged rejection.

Thursday's crude rally was not a measured reaction to the roll call. Oil rose on a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia and on Iran signaling that the Strait of Hormuz would stay blocked until the United States lifts sanctions and the naval blockade. As of 3:43 p.m. Eastern, West Texas Intermediate crude was at $95.24, up 3.3%, and Brent at $107.42, up 4.2%. The United States Oil Fund BUSO, which holds near-term WTI futures, was at $153.17, up 2.9%. The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund AXLE, which holds the S&P 500's energy companies, was at $62.62, up 0.4%.

BUSO is up 21% over the past month. Thursday did not take that exposure off. The vote was likely the last Senate floor time for a war-powers measure ahead of November's midterm elections. The strait remains closed. Two days earlier Trump called a New York meeting between U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi "very good," with another session planned. No terms were announced.