U.S. Congress Orders Trump to Withdraw Troops from Iran Operations

On the afternoon of June 23 local time, the U.S. Senate passed a bill requiring President Trump to cease military operations against Iran and withdraw U.S. troops from hostile actions involving Iran. The vote resulted in 50 in favor, 48 against, with two Republican senators absent. This war powers resolution had previously passed in the House of Representatives earlier this month. It marks the first time since the enactment of the War Powers Act of 1973 that both chambers of Congress have passed a resolution together. However, the vote is likely to be largely symbolic. According to the War Powers Act of 1973, a 'joint resolution' passed by both chambers does not need to be sent to the White House for presidential signature. Congress intended this law to serve as a mechanism to terminate military actions. However, legal experts believe the issue remains unresolved—no war powers resolution has ever been passed by both chambers before; and a 1983 U.S. Supreme Court ruling stated that such measures must be submitted to the president for signature or veto to have legal effect. The White House maintains that the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, thus rendering it non-binding. (Sina Finance)