The U.S. Senate on Wednesday failed once again to advance a war powers resolution aimed at curbing U.S. President Donald Trump's military operations against Iran, as Democrats and Republicans remain sharply divided over the issue.
By a margin of 53-47, the same result as the last vote on March 4, the Republican-led upper chamber blocked the resolution, which is intended to prevent Trump from ordering further military strikes on Iran without congressional approval.
The Democrats threatened to continue pushing for votes on more related issues unless the Republicans agree to hold cabinet-level hearings on the ongoing conflict.
U.S. Senate again fails to advance war powers resolution to curb Trump's Iran military operations
The U.S. federal government's total public debt had surpassed the 39-trillion-U.S.-dollar milestone as of Tuesday, according to the latest data released by the Treasury Department on Wednesday.
U.S. media reports indicate that the ballooning debt is a byproduct of conflicting objectives within the government, including the adoption of sweeping tax legislation, increased defense spending, and strengthened immigration enforcement.
Matters such as war and tax cuts have also driven spending increases. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett estimated on Sunday that the ongoing military operations against Iran has so far cost the U.S. more than 12 billion U.S. dollars.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) said that rising government debt will lead to higher borrowing costs and reduced funds available to businesses for investment, which can depress wage levels and bring higher prices for goods and services.
U.S. national debt surpasses 39 trln USD milestone
