LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts was one of 47 senators who voted no Tuesday night on a resolution that would limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran.
The resolution ultimately passed 50-47, with three not voting.
It took eight attempts to get enough votes to pass.
Ricketts said Wednesday on a press call that, because of the current ceasefire, he didn’t think it was necessary.
“So the resolution itself is moot in my opinion. And I also believe the president has the ability to defend us, and we cannot allow a country that chants ‘death to America’ to have a nuclear weapon or a missile to reach the United States,” Ricketts said. “They’ve killed tens of thousands of their own people. I have no doubt they would not hesitate to kill millions of ours.”
Four Republicans broke with the party to support the vote — Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote no.
Cassidy lost his primary to a Trump-backed challenger over the weekend.
The war in Iran began at the end of February and has since passed the legal 60-day deadline to end the war or obtain congressional approval.
The war powers resolution still needs to pass the House, and the president is likely to veto it even if it does.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.