Jerry Moran

While Congress hasn't declared war on Iran, both senators from Kansas did vote to allow President Donald Trump to continue the military conflict.

The U.S. Senate voted 47-53 on March 4, failing to advance a war powers resolution to end American military action in Iran. Nearly all Republicans opposed the Democratic-led war powers resolution.

U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, both voted against advancing the resolution.

Under the U.S. Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war. It hasn't done so.

Senate Democrats had argued their resolution would stop "Trump's illegal, unnecessary war with Iran" and ensure military actions are "explicitly authorized by Congress."

In a statement, Marshall called the effort by Democrats "a political ploy to work against the Administration's military operations."

"Our military executed a bold, necessary, and long-overdue strike aimed at eliminating the threat posed by the Iranian regime — a regime that has spent nearly 50 years chanting 'Death to America,' killing and maiming thousands of American soldiers and citizens, and relentlessly pursuing a nuclear weapon that threatens our very existence," Marshall said.

"My heart is with the American service members we have lost and their families. As a former military officer whose father, brother, and son have all served, I know firsthand the sacrifice these families have made, and my prayers are with each of them. May God bless our military, and I continue to pray this is a short conflict."

Six American troops have been killed in the war so far.

"The Iranian government has terrorized its own people, funded terror networks, threatened the security of our allies and called for the destruction of the U.S.," Moran said in a social media post. "Iran's ambition to enrich uranium & acquire long-range missiles threatens the U.S. & the stability of the region.

"Iran's continued attacks on American troops, our embassies & consulates, & the bombardment of Israel, require vigilance & ongoing military action in the Middle East. Support for this resolution as written would constrain ongoing operations & potentially put American servicemembers at greater risk.

"Congress must remain fully engaged through oversight & deliberation, & we must do so in a way that supports, not jeopardizes as this resolution would do, the men & women carrying out their current mission. If military engagements become sustained or expanded, Congress must debate & authorize further use of force on behalf of the American people."