WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected a motion to discharge a war powers measure from committee in a 46 to 51 vote, turning back an effort to limit President Trump's ability to use military force against Iran. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin led the resolution, which would have directed the president to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted with Republicans against the motion, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted with Democrats in favor. The vote marked the fifth effort by Democrats to constrain Trump on Iran since the war began eight weeks ago, and the majority of Senate Republicans have been unwilling to break with the president on the issue.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans on the floor to support the resolution. "Every day this disastrous war continues, Donald Trump digs himself deeper and deeper and deeper into a hole," Schumer said. "If Trump won't dig himself out of the hole he's dug, you Republicans should pull him out by voting for our war powers resolution today."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune pointed to the timeline and the state of negotiations in explaining the Republican position. "The president's still within that allotted time, he can extend it, I think, 30 days unilaterally. But you know, we're listening," Thune said. "Sounds like the ceasefire now has been extended a little bit, and they're going to try and see if they can get some sort of a deal. That's ideal. But we'll see where our members are."

Trump said he was extending a two-week ceasefire with Iran as the deadline approached, and had threatened to resume attacks if the Iranian regime did not accept his terms for a deal. Next week, barring a breakthrough to end the conflict, the war will cross the 60-day mark. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, military engagements not authorized by Congress are capped at 60 days, a deadline that can be extended to 90 days if the president certifies in writing that unavoidable military necessity related to the safety of U.S. armed forces requires an extension.