Senate minority leader pushes 4th war powers vote as Iran war enters day 47

The US Senate minority leader said Wednesday that Senate Democrats will force a fourth vote on a war powers resolution aimed at halting US military involvement in Iran as the war stretches into its seventh week.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Chuck Schumer stressed that this latest effort marks a continued campaign by Democrats to compel congressional oversight and potentially halt the war, after three previous attempts failed to gain Republican support.

"Republicans have voted against this resolution three times now, but as the war drags on for 47 days with no end in sight, they should join us on this resolution and end the war once and for all," Schumer said.

Schumer signaled that Democrats are prepared to sustain the pressure indefinitely, warning that repeated votes will continue if Republicans again block the measure.

"If the Republicans vote no again, we will continue to force votes on these resolutions every week until either this war ends or the Republicans get the courage to stand up to Donald Trump," he said.

Thirteen US service members have been killed since Operation Epic Fury against Iran began on Feb. 28.

The warring sides have been observing a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, since April 8. Efforts by mediators to end the war are ongoing.

Schumer blasted the operation as "an epic failure."

"(President) Donald Trump promised that this war would be won in a matter of days or weeks. It's now day 47," he said.

Under the US Constitution, Congress has the sole power to declare war.