WASHINGTON, June 25 (DC Times Online) — The Senate rejected Sen. Tim Kaine’s Iran war powers resolution 50-47 on Wednesday, blocking a measure that would have required Congress to approve any further U.S. military action against Iran.
The vote came after the same proposal cleared a procedural hurdle last month on a 50-47 tally. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted present on the final vote.
The chamber’s action followed a closed-door lunch with Senate Republicans at which President Donald Trump criticized the earlier Iran-related vote, according to senators who attended. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., later said Trump “raised his voice” and “I lost my temper.”
Kaine, D-Va., had led the effort to reassert Congress’ authority over war powers. The resolution said the president should withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran unless lawmakers authorized further action.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voted for the resolution, while Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., voted no. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., did not vote.
Trump later thanked Senate allies on Truth Social and said the vote “puts Iran on notice.”
