Iran live updates: Senate again fails to advance war powers resolution

The Senate did not pass an Iran War Powers Resolution introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., on Wednesday, marking the seventh time the Senate has failed to advance such a resolution in a vote of 49-50.

Another Republican has joined Democrats in voting to discharge the war powers resolution: Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. She joined Republican Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, along with all Democrats except Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., who once again voted with Republicans to block the resolution from advancing.

It comes as White House administration officials argue that the war in Iran is over given the April 8 ceasefire agreement, that President Donald Trump admitted was on massive life support, and congressional authorization is no longer necessary.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 151, left, and an EA-18G Growler, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron 133, launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, May 9, 2026.
US Navy
No Congress has ever used the War Powers Resolution to force the executive branch to end hostilities, so while these efforts will continue, they face uphill battles. Another avenue comes from Murkowski who has been working on an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) for weeks to kickstart the process on consideration over whether Congress should formally approve of military action against Iran.

Yet still, Republicans refusing to break with Trump appear to have little appetite for that method as well with Senate Majority Leader John Thune arguing earlier this week an AUMF is not necessary.

"I don't think it's necessary at the moment, offensive measures have been suspended now there for about a month...I don't think there will probably be a lot of support for an AUMF right now," Thune said on Monday.

Ahead of his trip to China, President Donald Trump gave conflicting answers when asked on Tuesday if Beijing should intervene to help end the war with Iran.

"I don't think we need any help with Iran," he said at first. Minutes later, when Trump was asked if Chinese President Xi Jinping was the person who could revive the ceasefire, the president said he would like whatever help Xi can offer.

But, when pressed on Xi's possible help, Trump again said the U.S. did not need assistance. "They're defeated militarily, and they'll either do the right thing or we'll finish the job," Trump said.

Moments later, Trump added that he "wouldn't say Iran" is one of the topics he plans to discuss with Xi because the U.S. has it "under control."

"We're either going to make a deal or they're going to be decimated, one way or the other," Trump said.

Trump again dismissed economic concerns related to the ongoing war, suggesting inflation would fall 1.5% after the war ends amid what he predicted would be a "gusher of oil."

"And one way the other, it's going to work out very well. Going to work out very well. I think you have so much oil, you're going to have a gusher of oil like you've never had before," Trump said, once again stressing that he thought oil prices would have risen higher.

"And as soon as this war is over, which will not be long, you're going to see oil prices drop, and you're going to see a stock market, which is already at the highest point in history, go through the roof. You're going to see the golden age of America, frankly, and you're seeing it now," Trump said.

Asked about the progress of negotiations with Tehran, Trump said, "Well, we're going to see what happens. We're only making a good deal."

"But I believe that one way or the other, it's going to be very good for the American people, and I think actually very good for the Iranian people," Trump said.

The Iran war is estimated to have cost $29 billion, acting Pentagon comptroller Jules W. Hurst III told lawmakers Tuesday morning during a House Appropriations hearing.

Two weeks ago, Hurst testified it was $25 billion, much of which was attributed to munitions costs.

Hurst said the updated number comes after accounting for, "replacement of equipment costs and also just general operational costs keep people in theater."

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., asked Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth when Congress would get a more detailed accounting for war costs.

"When it's relevant and required, we will share it," Hegseth responded.

-ABC News' Steven Beynon

President Donald Trump told Fox News journalist John Roberts he is considering restarting Project Freedom, but noted that the U.S. Navy's role in allegedly "guiding" ships through the Strait of Hormuz would "only be a piece of it."

Further details of the president's plans with the operation were not immediately available.

Project Freedom went into effect exactly one week ago before Trump abruptly paused it Tuesday evening.

According to Fox News, Trump expressed confidence in Iran complying with his demands, saying "they're going to fold." On Sunday, Trump blasted Iran's response to the U.S. proposal, calling it "totally unacceptable."

Asked whether he wishes to negotiate with a new round of leaders in Iran, Trump told Fox News, "I will deal with them until they make a deal."

Trump has repeatedly criticized Iran's leadership, saying they're disjointed and not able to communicate with each other. In recent weeks, the president has also suggested that he doesn't need to make a deal with Iran at all.

Trump also reportedly told Fox News that Iranian negotiators said Iran does not have the technology to retrieve their nuclear dust and that the U.S. must go into Iran to obtain it.