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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.

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