WASHINGTON, June 25 (DC Times Online) — The Senate rejected Sen. Tim Kaine’s Iran war powers resolution 50-47 on Wednesday, blocking an effort to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to use U.S. forces against Iran without further congressional approval.
The vote came after Trump met behind closed doors with Senate Republicans at a lunch in Washington and criticized the earlier push to constrain his Iran policy. Sen. Bill Cassidy later said Trump “raised his voice” during the meeting and that “I lost my temper.”
Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, had led the resolution, which would have directed the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress authorized further action. The Senate had advanced the measure last month on a 50-47 procedural vote.
Two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted in favor Wednesday. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted present after saying he wanted to give the president more space to negotiate, while John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no.
The same day, Trump thanked Senate allies on Truth Social and said the vote “puts Iran on notice.”
The Senate’s action followed a separate 50-48 vote Tuesday on a House-passed Iran resolution.
