Senate rejects war powers measure after Republicans reverse stance under Trump pressure

The Senate voted 50-47 on Wednesday to reject a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Trump's authority over military operations against Iran, marking a dramatic reversal by key Republicans just one day after the chamber had passed a similar measure. The procedural defeat came after an intense closed-door lunch meeting where Trump expressed frustration with congressional opposition to his Iran strategy, criticizing lawmakers for undermining his negotiating position with Tehran.

Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who had voted in favor of a concurrent resolution on Tuesday calling for an end to hostilities with Iran, shifted their positions on Wednesday following White House pressure and briefings. Paul voted present instead of supporting the measure, citing Trump's request to give the president "more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace." Cassidy initially clashed with Trump at the GOP lunch, defending his vote and demanding more transparency about the four-month conflict, but later changed course after receiving a thorough briefing from Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska remained consistent, voting to advance the resolution alongside most Democrats, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against it.

The conflicting votes reflected the contentious political dynamics surrounding Trump's Iran policy. On Tuesday, the Senate had passed a concurrent resolution 50-48 that does not require presidential signature, with four House Republicans having similarly voted for a companion measure that passed 215-208. Trump responded harshly to these votes, calling the Republicans who supported them "GRANDSTANDERS," "losers," and accusing them of making his job more difficult. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso helped persuade key GOP members to shift their positions ahead of Wednesday's vote.

The Wednesday resolution, sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, would have directed Trump to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorized continued military action. The measure held primarily symbolic value, as Trump would likely have vetoed it had it reached his desk. The Trump administration has argued the United States is no longer engaged in active hostilities following a ceasefire with Iran and has contended that the 1973 War Powers Resolution itself is unconstitutional.

Trump celebrated the Wednesday outcome on Truth Social, writing that the vote "puts Iran on notice," and crediting the shifts by Paul and Cassidy. The contradictory votes within two days underscored the administration's determination to maintain executive flexibility in Iran negotiations while Senate Democrats pushed for congressional oversight. Trump has characterized his Iran strategy as focused on achieving a lasting diplomatic settlement, with the two nations having recently agreed to extend a 60-day ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.