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Senate blocks Iran war powers resolution

Workers with the US National Park Service work on the columns of the White House North Portico as President Donald Trump returns to the White House after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, June 24, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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Workers with the US National Park Service work on the columns of the White House North Portico as President Donald Trump returns to the White House after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, June 24, 2026. (AFP Photo)
June 25, 2026 10:02 AM GMT+03:00

The U.S. Senate rejected a war powers resolution that would have forced President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran, after two Republicans who had backed the measure a day earlier switched their votes under White House pressure.

The measure failed in a 47-50-1 procedural vote.

Sen. Rand Paul, who has supported nearly every previous Iran war powers resolution since the conflict began, voted "present" rather than directly opposing Trump.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, who had helped advance the measure from committee in May and voted for Tuesday's resolution, switched and voted against this one after a White House briefing.

'My vote of present is a way to give the president more space'

Paul explained his shift in a post on X ahead of the vote.

"My opinion on the debate over war and executive power has not changed and I have voted that way several times," he wrote.

"But since hostilities seem to be over and the President asked me to give consideration to his negotiating position, I will do so. My vote of present is a way to give the President more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace," he added.

Cassidy said he had received a "thorough" briefing from Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on the status of the conflict.

"I appreciate the quick invitation to the White House to address many of my concerns," Cassidy wrote on X.

Two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted with most Democrats to advance the resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.

Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against it.

US Marines raise the flag at the US Embassy in Kuwait during a ceremony attended by US Secretary of State during his visit to the Middle East, in Kuwait City, June 24, 2026. (AFP Photo)
US Marines raise the flag at the US Embassy in Kuwait during a ceremony attended by US Secretary of State during his visit to the Middle East, in Kuwait City, June 24, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Trump celebrates: 'This vote puts Iran on notice!'

Trump celebrated the outcome on Truth Social, framing it as a reversal from the previous day's vote.

"(The Senate) changed its vote on Iran from 50-48 against, to 50-47 for," he wrote.

"Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy changed. Thank you to Leader John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Moreno, and all. This vote puts Iran on notice!"

Tense lunch with Trump preceded vote flip

The reversal followed a contentious closed-door lunch Wednesday between Trump and Senate Republicans, during which the president vented frustration over the previous day's vote.

According to CBS News, Trump told Cassidy, who had supported Tuesday's resolution, to sit down at one point during the meeting.

Cassidy told reporters afterward that Trump "raised his voice" and that he lost his temper in response.

Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana described Trump as "mad as a murder hornet" about the vote during lunch. "Put yourself in his shoes," Kennedy told reporters.

"He's right in the middle of delicate negotiations and the Senate votes to get out of Iran," he added.

Trump had separately criticized the four Republicans who supported Tuesday's resolution, writing on social media that they "provided aid and comfort (to) the Enemy."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso worked with the administration following the lunch to convince Republicans who had previously supported the war powers measures to switch their votes, according to two people familiar with the discussions who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.

A person familiar with the matter told CBS News that Barrasso helped "seal the deal" in conversations with key GOP members.

June 25, 2026 10:36 AM GMT+03:00
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