WASHINGTON, D.C., June 25 (ANI) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed the Senate’s late-night vote that blocked an effort to advance a war powers resolution related to Iran, after two Republican senators changed their positions and shifted the outcome in favor of the administration.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised the vote and thanked Republican lawmakers who supported the move.
“Wow! The Senate just changed its vote on Iran from 50-48 against, to 50-47 for. Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy changed. Thank you to Leader John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Moreno, and all. This vote puts Iran on notice!” Trump wrote.
According to CNN, the Senate rejected an attempt to advance the war powers measure aimed at limiting the president’s authority to engage militarily with Iran, a day after lawmakers had approved a similar resolution.
Trump had previously criticized Republican senators who supported the earlier measure, arguing that the move could weaken his negotiating position with Tehran.
Two Republican senators who had initially backed efforts to restrict presidential war powers changed their positions during Wednesday’s vote. Senator Rand Paul voted “present,” while Senator Bill Cassidy voted against advancing the measure. The final vote was 47-50-1, according to CNN.
Ahead of the vote, Paul explained his decision in a post on X.
“Tonight I will vote present on the War Powers resolution,” Paul wrote.
He added that his views on war and executive authority had not changed but said he wanted to give the president more flexibility amid ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“My opinion on the debate over war and executive power has not changed, and I have voted that way several times. 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,” Paul said.
According to CNN, Cassidy had earlier questioned the administration during a Senate Republican lunch meeting, saying lawmakers and the public needed more information about the conflict with Iran.
“I stood and said, ‘You have not told the American people what’s going on. It was supposed to last four weeks; it’s lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved, and I want to know what’s going on,’” Cassidy told reporters after the meeting.
However, Cassidy later said he had received additional briefings from senior administration officials.
“I want to thank Vice President Vance and Special Envoy Witkoff for the thorough briefing this afternoon on Iran. I appreciate the quick invitation to the White House to address many of my concerns,” Cassidy said in a post on X, according to CNN.
The vote also saw Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski again support the resolution, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman again opposed it.
Wednesday’s vote marked the latest development in a continuing congressional debate over presidential war powers and U.S. policy toward Iran. According to CNN, it was the 11th Senate vote this year on an Iran-related war powers measure.
Supporters of the resolution argued that Congress should have a formal role in decisions that could lead to renewed military action.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said last week that the vote was an opportunity to ensure Congress remains involved if tensions escalate again.
“I think it’s a good time to have the vote to say, ‘Hey, if we’re really in a period of maybe some stability here, let’s not just allow it to start up again without Congress being involved in that decision,’” Kaine said, according to CNN. (ANI)
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