News

Collins Among Republicans to Support First Senate Vote to Block Iran War

Collins Among Republicans to Support First Senate Vote to Block Iran War

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Maine Senator Susan Collins has joined three other Republicans to help Democrats pass the Senate’s first time approval of a resolution to block the Iran war.

The resolution passed Tuesday was the 10th time the Senate has tried to stop the war, with Collins joining the effort on several previous votes.

Collins has been hammered by Democratic election opponent Graham Platner for her initial support for the Iran war.

Tuesday’s vote was symbolic, but reflects growing concern among lawmakers about the war and President Trump’s deal with Iran to end it. The House approved the resolution earlier this month.

The Senate vote came as the Pentagon is seeking $80 billion from Congress, largely  to backfill munitions and stockpiles spent during the Iran war.

The Tuesday vote was 50-48 in favor of the resolution, with two Republicans absent. Democrats have been forcing votes on the Iran war, almost since the U.S. and Israel launched missile strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

The deal with Iran to end the war started with a memorandum of understanding that Trump signed last week, which starts a 60-day period for both sides to reach an agreement over ending Iran’s nuclear program.

Republicans have particularly objected to the $300 billion fund to help Iran rebuild, which is far greater than the $1.7 billion then-President Barack Obama refunded the country under his administration’s 2015 Iran deal.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Latest Headlines

24 hours ago in Lifestyle

Fall books: Fiction takes the spotlight in bookstores during the midterm season

Midterm election news will fill the headlines this fall, but, among book buyers, fiction will likely have top billing.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK with their children

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have decided to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay starting this fall, but they won't resume their roles as working members of the royal family, The Associated Press learned Wednesday.

3 days ago in Entertainment, Music

After losing a friend and writing ‘Say So,’ Dan + Shay are back with the autobiographical ‘Young’

The lead single from Grammy Award-winning duo Dan + Shay's forthcoming album "Young" is a hard pivot from the wedding songs that make up so much of the country pair's discography.

3 days ago in Entertainment

Frank Beard, drummer of boogie-rock trio ZZ Top, dies at 77

NEW YORK (AP) — Frank Beard, the drummer for the Texas boogie-rock trio ZZ Top who kept the tempo for the band’s…

4 days ago in Entertainment

Hayden Panettiere’s on-and-off boyfriend was at apartment where she died, police report says

Hayden Panettiere's on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickersonand his brother Zach Hickerson were at the South Carolina apartment where the actor died over the weekend, according to a police report released Tuesday.