US Senate Republicans defeat war powers resolution after Trump confrontation

Senate Republicans on Wednesday moved to mollify a furious President Donald Trump by defeating a war powers resolution that rebuked his handling of the war in Iran. The vote, 50-to-47 with one senator voting "present," was largely symbolic, coming just a day after the Senate had narrowly approved a nearly identical measure.

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I was going to vote yes, but I had a briefing this evening, and it was complete. I am reassured.

This procedural maneuver served as an unmistakable gesture to appease Trump, who had angrily confronted Republican leaders for joining Democrats in approving the resolution the previous day. Senators Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Rand Paul of Kentucky were among those who shifted their votes. Cassidy stated he changed his vote after a briefing at the White House, saying, "I was going to vote yes, but I had a briefing this evening, and it was complete. I am reassured."

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I did listen to the president today, and the president feels like it reduces his leverage to find a deal, and I do think it is important that we have peace negotiations.

Senator Paul, who voted "present," indicated that Trump's remarks during a lunch meeting with senators influenced his decision. "I did listen to the president today, and the president feels like it reduces his leverage to find a deal, and I do think it is important that we have peace negotiations," Paul said. Trump later celebrated the vote, falsely claiming on social media that the Senate had "changed its vote on Iran" and that the new vote "puts Iran on notice."

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My bill is in exactly the same position as it was before they did this vote.

Despite the Republican effort, the initial war powers measure approved on Tuesday remains adopted. It was the first such measure passed by both chambers since the war began. Wednesday's vote did not rescind or supersede the earlier action. Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, whose resolution was called up, noted that the procedural move does not prevent him from forcing another vote on the same resolution later, stating, "My bill is in exactly the same position as it was before they did this vote."

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Trump celebrated Wednesday’s late-night vote, thanking Republican leaders in a social media post that falsely claimed that the Senate had “changed its vote on Iran.” Trump said that the new vote “puts Iran on notice.”