The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, tonight welcomed increased support among Senate Democrats for measures to block U.S. weapons transfers and bulldozers to Israel and to reassert Congress’s constitutional war powers authority.
While both efforts ultimately fell short, the growing backing reflects rising momentum in Congress to end U.S. complicity in the unauthorized U.S.-Israel war on Iran and to restore legislative oversight over military engagement.
Earlier today, a separate vote to reassert congressional war powers authority failed 47-52, marking the fourth unsuccessful attempt to enforce Congress’s constitutional role. The majority of Senate Republicans opposed both efforts, joined by a small number of Democrats, including John Fetterman, who again broke with his party. Rand Paul was the only Republican to support the war powers measure, while Jim Justice did not vote.
The Senate voted on two joint resolutions of disapproval introduced by Bernie Sanders to block hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. weapons transfers, including a $150 million sale of 1,000-pound bombs and a $300 million sale of bulldozers used in military operations across Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon. The measures failed by votes of 36-63 and 40-59, respectively. Despite growing support, particularly among Senate Democrats, both resolutions failed to pass. The vote totals mark a historically significant increase in support compared to July 2025, when just 27 Democrats supported blocking similar arms sales.
SEE: Senate Democrats Issue Historic Rebuke Of Military Aid For Israel
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“Momentum is clearly building among Democrats in Congress to end unauthorized war and halt the flow of weapons enabling Israel’s genocide and war crimes. U.S. lawmakers are beginning to catch up to an American public that no longer accepts complicity in the mass killing of civilians across the Middle East.
“At the same time, the majority of Senate Republicans who rejected these votes are choosing to ignore both their constitutional duty and that growing public consensus. Congress cannot continue to abdicate its responsibility while unauthorized war expands and civilian lives are lost. It must act now to end unauthorized military action and stop arming atrocities.
“CAIR commends Bernie Sanders for forcing votes on weapons transfers, as well as Rand Paul and Tammy Duckworth for their leadership in defending congressional war powers authority and opposing continued escalation. This is not a partisan issue. It is a constitutional obligation that Congress can no longer avoid.”
These votes follow sustained advocacy by CAIR and its partners, including national action alerts, congressional outreach, and grassroots mobilization urging lawmakers to oppose unauthorized war and halt weapons transfers fueling civilian harm. Muslim communities across the country have led this civic engagement, organizing, contacting elected officials, and advocating for accountability and adherence to U.S. and international law.
The votes come as the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution of 1973 approaches, requiring Congress to authorize continued military operations or mandate the withdrawal of U.S. forces. That deadline, expected later this month, will determine whether lawmakers fulfill their legal obligations or continue to allow unauthorized war-making.
Despite repeated claims that the conflict may soon end, the Trump administration has presented no clear legal justification, strategy, or defined timeline for its military actions. Meanwhile, U.S. operations and weapons transfers to Israel continue, increasing the risk of a broader regional war and further destabilization.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]