On Thursday, July 24, 2026, U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), a former combat veteran, choked up on the Senate floor as he pointed to a bracelet honoring a fallen friend who was "cut in half" by an Iranian bomb. Sheehy used the moment to oppose the Iran War Powers Resolution, a Democratic-led measure that would have required the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorized the mission.

Sheehy delivered remarks emphasizing the long history of Iranian-backed attacks on Americans, referencing incidents such as the 1983 Marine barracks bombing, the USS Cole attack, and the Achille Lauro hijacking. He also mentioned terrorist groups linked to Iran, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

While acknowledging that Democrats were correct to call the conflict a "war of choice," Sheehy argued that the choice was made decades ago by Iran’s regime, not by former President Donald Trump. He stated, "It’s a war of choice that was begun by a radical, lunatic band of terrorists that took over a beautiful nation 47 years ago."

Sheehy further remarked, "And forever wars are not popular with anybody these days. Both sides of [the aisle] love to attack our forever wars. And I can promise you, being someone overseas wearing the uniform, when you’re fighting for your country, you don’t care what party’s in office."

He concluded with a vow: "We didn’t start this war, we did not. But, we will finish it."

The Senate rejected an effort to advance the Iran War Powers Resolution in a close 47-49 vote. Sheehy accused critics of ignoring decades of Iranian-backed attacks on Americans and stressed that the regime in Iran does not consider U.S. partisan politics.

The debate occurred amid ongoing tensions involving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran, with recent images showing armed IRGC members at the funeral of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 6, 2026.

Sources