WASHINGTON, June 25 (DC Times Online) — The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Tim Kaine-led Iran war powers resolution, 50-47, after President Donald Trump pressed Republican senators in a closed-door lunch and later thanked allies for defeating the measure.
The vote blocked a proposal by the Virginia Democrat that would have directed Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress authorized further action. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted present, while Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted yes. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no.
The result came after the chamber had advanced the same resolution last month on a 50-47 procedural vote, stunning Republicans at the time. The House had already passed a similar Iran war powers measure earlier in the month.
Trump criticized Senate Republicans during the lunch meeting, according to attendees and later remarks. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said Trump “raised his voice” and that he “lost [his] temper.”
A person familiar with the matter said Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso helped secure support for the final vote. Afterward, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the vote “puts Iran on notice.”
The Senate also passed a separate, symbolic House-passed Iran resolution by 50-48 on Tuesday, but the Kaine measure was the more consequential test of congressional war powers.
