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The Senate late Wednesday rejected a measure that would have limited President Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations involving Iran, handing the administration a legislative victory after a contentious meeting between Trump and Senate Republicans.
The procedural motion failed by a vote of 50-47. Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in supporting the measure, while Sens. Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy switched positions after having supported a similar resolution a day earlier.
“Wow! The Senate just changed its vote on Iran from 50-48 against, to 50-47 for,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy changed. Thank you to Leader John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Moreno, and all. This vote puts Iran on notice!” he added.
The change also came as Cassidy posted to X concerning a meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to address his concerns about Iran.
“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 wrote.
Rand also posted to X concerning his vote change.
“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,” he wrote.
The resolution, introduced by Tim Kaine, would have directed the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress specifically authorized continued military action.
Had the measure passed both the Senate and the House, it would have gone to President Trump’s desk, where he could have signed or vetoed it. Congress would then have needed a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override any veto.