<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Senate defeated a bipartisan effort on Thursday to end the war in Iran with a war powers resolution, despite increasing calls from some Republicans in competitive elections to conclude the nearly seven-month-long conflict.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Most vulnerable Republican incumbents supported President Donald Trump in opposing the resolution, marking the 14th war powers vote in the Senate since the conflict began in February. The GOP-controlled Senate narrowly rejected the measure.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The vote failed with a count of 49-50. Several senators crossed party lines, similar to previous resolutions. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) voted against the resolution alongside most Republicans, while Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) voted in favor with most Democrats.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Collins is considered one of the Senate’s most vulnerable incumbents. Tillis is retiring, while Murkowski and Paul are not facing reelection this cycle.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Other senators with competitive midterm elections, such as Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Jon Husted (R-OH), opposed the resolution.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Husted, who is facing former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in a competitive race, has called for the conflict to end quickly to help lower gas prices.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="Sens. Roger Marshall and Jon Husted" class="wp-image-4741639" height="683" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AP25072555663154.jpg?w=696" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Senator Roger Marshall, R-Kan., from left, Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Senator Jon Husted, R-Ohio, gather during a committee meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)</figcaption></figure>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sullivan, like other GOP colleagues, expressed concern that high gas prices resulting from the war could impact their electoral prospects. He has urged Trump to implement a diesel export ban, citing the high cost of diesel fuel.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Marshall, who is being challenged by Democrat Adam Hamilton, stated he would like to find a way to end the war but has concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) criticized the situation during a floor speech, stating, "Americans are getting crushed at the gas pumps. Working families are getting cleaned out at the grocery store counters. Family farms are going under, because Trump took this country to war without authorization, without a plan, without a second thought to the consequences."</p>