WASHINGTON, June 25 (DC Times Online) — The Senate rejected Tim Kaine’s Iran war powers resolution 50-47 on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump pressed Republican senators at a closed-door lunch and argued the measure would weaken his talks with Iran.
The Virginia Democrat’s measure would have directed Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress authorized further action. The chamber had advanced the resolution last month on a 50-47 procedural vote.
Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted in favor, while Rand Paul of Kentucky voted present and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania did not vote.
The Senate had approved a separate House-passed Iran resolution 50-48 on Tuesday. That measure was largely symbolic and marked the first Iran war-powers resolution to clear both chambers of Congress.
After the lunch with Republicans, Sen. Bill Cassidy said Trump “raised his voice” and “I lost my temper.” Trump later wrote on Truth Social that the vote “puts Iran on notice.”
