WASHINGTON, June 25 (DC Times Online) — The Senate rejected Sen. Tim Kaine’s Iran war powers resolution Wednesday in a 50-47 vote, blocking an effort to require President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress approved further military action.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky voted present. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted for the resolution, while Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted no. Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania did not vote.
The outcome came one day after the Senate approved a separate, House-passed Iran resolution and weeks after the chamber advanced Kaine’s proposal on a 50-47 procedural vote. The House passed a similar war powers resolution earlier this month.
The vote followed a closed-door lunch between Trump and Senate Republicans, where he criticized the earlier action on Iran. After the meeting, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said Trump “raised his voice” and “I lost my temper.”
Trump later thanked Senate allies in a Truth Social post, saying the vote “puts Iran on notice.” Fox News reported that Trump told Republicans the earlier war powers resolution hurt the administration’s negotiating position with Iran.
Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, has said Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over war powers. NPR reported Kaine said, “The resolution must come through negotiations.”
