Senate GOP Blocks Dems Latest Attempt To Force Troop Withdrawal
Senate Republicans defeated another Democratic effort to restrict President Donald Trump’s authority over U.S. military operations involving Iran, blocking a resolution that would have forced a Senate vote on withdrawing American forces from the conflict.
The measure failed by a 49-50 vote, falling one vote short of the support needed to discharge the war powers resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and bring it to the floor.
Three Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Rand Paul of Kentucky — joined Democrats in supporting the measure.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was the only Democrat to oppose it, providing the deciding vote that allowed Republicans to keep the resolution from advancing.
The outcome marked another Republican victory in the ongoing Senate battle over Trump’s handling of Iran, with GOP senators successfully blocking most Democratic attempts to force a withdrawal of U.S. forces.
The vote came as tensions between the United States and Iran remained high, with military exchanges reported the same day. U.S. Central Command confirmed strikes targeting Iranian military command facilities and missile sites, though officials did not immediately provide details on locations or casualties.
Around the same time, drones believed to have originated from Iran struck vessels at an Egyptian port near the Suez Canal, setting two ships on fire and raising further concerns about Tehran’s ability to disrupt commercial shipping routes in the region.
The developments became a central focus of Senate Democrats’ arguments against continuing U.S. military operations.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer used the attacks to criticize Trump’s Iran policy, arguing the conflict had expanded beyond its original scope.
“This aimless war has been one of the biggest catastrophes in American history. Trump’s mess only gets worse with every passing hour. Trump said this war would last a week, but American service members are still getting killed five months later,” Schumer added.
He further argued that the Egyptian incident proved the conflict was spinning outward.
“This war seems to be expanding with Iran’s latest attack in Egypt’s territory. Senate Republicans cannot sit on the sidelines as Trump’s war escalates out of control,” Schumer added.
Schumer argued the incident in Egypt demonstrated that the conflict was widening and urged Republicans to support congressional action to halt the military campaign.
Republicans countered that forcing a withdrawal while diplomatic efforts with Iran remain ongoing would weaken U.S. leverage, encourage Tehran, and potentially endanger American troops currently deployed in the region.
Trump has previously argued that congressional efforts to restrict his military authority could interfere with negotiations and make diplomatic resolutions more difficult.
The only previous instance in which Democrats advanced a related resolution came on June 23, when a nonbinding concurrent resolution passed the Senate.
That vote succeeded after two Republican senators, Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, were absent.
Trump dismissed that earlier action as ineffective, arguing the measure lacked legal force and came at a sensitive moment in negotiations.
Fetterman’s opposition has become a recurring factor in Iran-related votes, with the Pennsylvania Democrat repeatedly breaking from his party on efforts to limit Trump’s military authority. Without his vote, the latest measure would have advanced by a 50-49 margin.
The dispute reflects a broader constitutional debate over the balance of war powers between Congress and the presidency. Democrats argue that Congress must reclaim its authority over military engagements, while Republicans maintain that lawmakers should not interfere with active military operations or diplomatic efforts involving foreign adversaries.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
