WASHINGTON, June 25 (DC Times Online) — The Senate rejected Tim Kaine’s Iran war powers resolution Wednesday in a 50-47 vote, blocking a bid to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to keep U.S. forces involved in hostilities with Iran without new congressional approval.
The vote came after Trump met privately with Senate Republicans at the Capitol and criticized them for backing earlier efforts to curb his Iran policy. Sen. Bill Cassidy said afterward that Trump “raised his voice” during the closed-door lunch and that he “lost my temper.”
Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, had pushed the resolution as a test of Congress’ authority under the War Powers framework. It would have directed the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorized further action.
Rand Paul voted present on the final vote. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted yes, while John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no.
The Senate had advanced the same resolution last month on a 50-47 procedural vote. The House also passed a similar Iran war powers resolution earlier in the month.
Trump thanked Senate allies in a Truth Social post after the vote, saying it “puts Iran on notice.”
