WASHINGTON, June 25 (DC Times Online) — The Senate rejected Sen. Tim Kaine’s Iran war powers resolution 50-47 on Wednesday after President Donald Trump criticized Republican senators at a closed-door lunch and argued the measure would weaken his negotiating position with Iran.
Kaine’s proposal would have directed Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress authorized further military action. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted present on the measure.
The vote followed an earlier procedural test last month, when the same resolution advanced 50-47 with four Republicans joining Democrats.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., later told reporters that Trump “raised his voice” during the lunch meeting and said, “I lost my temper.” Trump later thanked allies on Truth Social and wrote that the vote “puts Iran on notice.”
The latest result left Kaine’s effort short of passage after weeks of debate over Congress’ role in any use of force against Iran. Kaine has said Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority to declare war.
