Murkowski sides with other Republicans in defeating measure to halt US strikes on Iran

Alaska senator, who voted to halt Trump’s military actions against Venezuela, says administration did a better job of communicating during current situation

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski R-Alaska, observes Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center–Alaska cold weather exercises in February of 2026. (Photo from Lisa Murkowski’s official U.S. Senate Facebook page)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

A measure limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to continue the war against Iran without congressional authorization was blocked by a 53-47 vote Wednesday, including a majority vote from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who earlier this year voted in favor of halting U.S. military action against Venezuela.

Murkowski, noted for being one of the few congressional Republicans to oppose Trump on some significant matters, said the administration did a better job of earning Republican support for the strikes on Iran than during the vote on Venezuela in January, according to The Hill. However, she also said she has concerns about the lack of a clear endgame following the attacks by the U.S. and Israel that began Saturday.

“I think it is actually better than how they communicated with Venezuela, but that doesn’t say much,” she said.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, voted to oppose limits on Trump’s actions against both Iran and Venezuela.

Wednesday’s vote was to block taking up a measure invoking a provision of the 1973 War Powers Act that would have required the U.S. to withdraw its forces from the conflict and get congressional approval before future engagement with Iran. The measure was introduced by Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, and Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, the latter being the only Republican to vote in favor of taking up the measure. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the lone Democrat to oppose the resolution.

Murkowski, in a post issued on her official Facebook page after the vote, stated "What our troops need now is for our Congress, and this country, to know that they are supported."

"We in Congress can debate the merits of the War Powers Act, but the hard reality is that the President has committed U.S. troops to active engagement in combat with an enemy that has targeted and killed Americans for decades," she wrote. "We have lost six soldiers in this fight with the potential for more casualties."

"There is no question that the President should have sought authorization from Congress before striking Iran on this scale, likewise bringing in our allies ahead of time as they now are equally in danger," Murkowski added. "However, the abrupt cessation of all offensive operations would not leave any Americans — soldiers, diplomats, or civilians — in the Middle East in a safer position."

The House, which also has a Republican majority, is scheduled to take up a similar resolution Thursday.

The New York Times reported Wednesday’s vote "came as the administration offered varying and at times conflicting explanations for the war, raising questions about its legality and posing a dilemma for some lawmakers as they were called upon to register a position on a conflict that has already cost American lives. It also comes only months before the midterm elections and as polls show the conflict is deeply unpopular."

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.