Senate rejects Iran withdrawal measure while advancing college-sports bill
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Sept. 24 rejected a resolution that would have directed the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress declared war or passed a specific authorization. The vote was 49-50, with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., not voting.
The one-vote defeat meant H. Con. Res. 89 did not pass the Senate and did not issue the withdrawal directive in its text. The measure also said it would not prevent the United States from defending itself, its armed forces, diplomatic facilities or allied states from an imminent attack. Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.HCONRES 89 · FAIL:SECOND:SENATEView source DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(c) OF THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO REMOVE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITH IRANSenate · 2026-09-24View source
Supporters said Congress had not authorized the hostilities and should exercise its constitutional role over war. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., argued that Congress had authority to end the conflict and cited costs and effects on U.S. servicemembers. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon but argued that Congress had not authorized the war and called for the Senate to act. DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(c) OF THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO REMOVE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITH IRANSenate · 2026-09-24View source
The recorded debate did not include a substantive floor speech explaining the position of senators who voted against the resolution. The vote list shows that Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina joined the 49 senators voting yes; Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was among the 50 voting no. DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5(c) OF THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, TO REMOVE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITH IRANSenate · 2026-09-24View source
Senate votes and pending business
The Senate also advanced S. 4668, the Protect College Sports Act. It adopted a substitute amendment, 77-23; tabled amendments 6779 and 6777 by voice vote; and voted 74-25 to invoke cloture, the Senate procedure that limits further debate. Tillis did not vote on the cloture question. The Senate scheduled final passage for Sept. 28 rather than completing the bill that day. LEGISLATIVE SESSIONSenate · 2026-09-24View source
The bill would set federal rules for college athletes’ name, image and likeness, or NIL, agreements. It would require reporting of NIL compensation above $600, require agents to register with a state, cap certain agent fees at 5%, permit one transfer without loss of athletic eligibility, and create a limited antitrust exemption for certain joint college-sports media-rights agreements. Protect College Sports Act of 2026S 4668 · PASS_OVER:SENATEView source
The bill’s framework combines athlete protections and disclosure rules with rules for schools and conferences. The Record segment documenting the votes does not contain a full substantive floor debate explaining supporters’ and opponents’ views of the framework. LEGISLATIVE SESSIONSenate · 2026-09-24View source
Measures cleared and pipeline
By unanimous consent, the Senate passed S. 3257, the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act, and S. 3258, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, both with amendments. The first concerns FAA regulations affecting people who disclose a mental-health diagnosis or condition while carrying out aviation activities; the second directs the FAA to publish and update a list of medications that may be safely prescribed for pilot and air-traffic-controller medical certification. John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation ActS 3257 · PASS_OVER:SENATEView source Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2026S 3258 · PASS_OVER:SENATEView source
The Senate passed H.R. 2388 without amendment. It would place specified Washington land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and bar gaming on that land. Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration ActHR 2388 · ENACTED:SIGNEDView source
The Senate agreed to House amendments to S. 240, concerning the Crow Tribe water-rights settlement, and S. 283, concerning methods for identifying seafood’s country of origin to support enforcement against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Senate passage or agreement to House amendments cleared those measures through Congress; the actions alone did not establish presidential signature. Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025S 240 · ENACTED:SIGNEDView source Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement ActS 283 · ENACTED:SIGNEDView source
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee reported S. 5526, the Agricultural Act of 2026, and placed it on the Senate Legislative Calendar. That was a committee and calendar action, not Senate passage. Agricultural Act of 2026S 5526 · REPORTEDView source
House status and next steps
The House’s Sept. 24 Record consists of extensions of remarks rather than floor legislative proceedings. It recorded no House floor legislative votes before the chamber adjourned until Sept. 28. Congressional Record2026-09-24View source
The Senate’s next announced action on S. 4668 was final passage on Sept. 28. The Iran resolution remained rejected, while the other measures faced the remaining steps required before becoming law.