Sens. Mark Kelly, Ruben Gallego respond after war powers resolution fails
Arizona’s U.S. senators expressed frustration after their chamber failed to pass a war powers resolution related to the ongoing military campaign in Iran.
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PHOENIX – Arizona’s U.S. senators expressed frustration after their chamber failed to pass a war powers resolution related to the ongoing military campaign in Iran.
Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, who both served in the military, joined most of their fellow Democrats in voting for the legislation, which failed Wednesday by a 47-53 margin.
Kelly called out Republicans for failing to stand up to President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“Trump and Hegseth just dragged our country into a war that Americans didn’t ask for, and Senate Republicans couldn’t even stand up to them on it when given the chance,” Kelly said in a post on X. “They have no end goal and no idea how long it’s going to last, and apparently that’s no problem for my Republican colleagues.”
Trump and Hegseth just dragged our country into a war that Americans didn't ask for, and Senate Republicans couldn't even stand up to them on it when given the chance. They have no end goal and no idea how long it's going to last, and apparently that's no problem for my… https://t.co/Ndo9pdUavW
— Senator Mark Kelly (@SenMarkKelly) March 5, 2026
A war powers resolution would give lawmakers an opportunity to demand congressional approval before any further attacks are carried out.
“President Trump illegally dragged the United States into a conflict with Iran without congressional authorization and without explaining the rationale, the strategy or end goal. Now, six Americans are dead, and Trump said we should expect even more. This is not in our country’s best interest,” Gallego said in a statement. “The American public has been very clear that we don’t want another forever war. This vote should have made it clear we’re on their side.”
The Senate vote fell mostly along party lines, though Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted in favor and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against.
The House was preparing to vote on similar legislation Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments
30 Comments
Current polling disagrees. The war is supported by about 37% overall (85% of MAGA sheep support Dear Leader, which apparently influences your math).
No guardrails for the dumbest president of our lifetime. At this point MAGA officially owns everything that happens next in the Middle East. History tells us what's next is a feces-show. Buckle up, the surge in gas prices and inflation will only be the beginning. Body bags and retaliatory terrorist strikes will be the cherry on top.
These are the same GOP knuckle-draggers that derided Obama for not getting congressional approval before taking military action. I am fine with you having a different philosophy than me, but it is not a philosophy if you don't use it consistently. No war is a philosophy, while no war unless my guy does it is just cultism.