GOP Cracks on Iran War: Collins and Curtis Break Ranks the Night Before the War Powers Deadline

# GOP Cracks on Iran War: Collins and Curtis Break Ranks the Night Before the War Powers Deadline

> **Quick answer:** With the 60-day War Powers Act deadline expiring May 1, 2026, the Senate Republican wall is showing its first real fractures. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) says it is "very likely" she won't vote to extend hostilities. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) says flatly he "will not support ongoing military action beyond the 60-day window without congressional approval." Four prior votes failed roughly 46-51. These cracks — though not yet a majority — are why tonight is different from the five War Powers votes that came before it.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for legal matters.*

Tonight is the eve of the War Powers Act deadline on Iran, and for the first time since U.S. strikes began on February 28, 2026, Republican senators are saying publicly what they have resisted saying for 60 days: enough. The math has not yet flipped, but the fractures are real — and the political cost of silence is rising faster than Brent crude, which hit $120 a barrel on Wednesday, the highest level since June 2022.

## The First Meaningful GOP Crack: Collins and Curtis on the Record

Five times since March, Senate Democrats have introduced War Powers resolutions demanding Trump cease or seek authorization for U.S. military operations against Iran. Five times, Republicans have blocked them — in votes that hovered around 46-51, with only a handful of GOP members ever crossing over (Rand Paul being the most consistent).