The Senate voted Wednesday to reject a Democratic-backed effort to limit President Donald Trump's war powers related to Iran, handing the administration a legislative victory as U.S. and Iranian officials continue negotiations aimed at reaching a longer-term peace agreement, as reported by Fox News.
The vote came during the Senate's final session before lawmakers departed Washington, D.C., for a recess of more than two weeks.
Democrats had sought approval of a war powers resolution introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., the same measure that passed the Senate just over a month earlier after two Republican senators were absent.
Earlier Wednesday, President Trump and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., reportedly clashed during a closed-door Senate meeting over Iran policy and the administration's communication with lawmakers.
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The meeting had been convened to discuss the president's Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.
According to the report, Trump argued that the earlier passage of Kaine's resolution had weakened the administration's negotiating position with Iran.
Following additional meetings at the White House, Cassidy and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., changed their positions on the latest resolution.
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Paul ultimately voted "present," while Cassidy supported the administration's position, helping Republicans defeat the measure.
After the vote, Cassidy credited administration officials for addressing his concerns.
"I want to thank Vice President [JD] Vance and Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff for the thorough briefing this afternoon on Iran," Cassidy wrote on X.
"I appreciate the quick invitation to the White House to address many of my concerns."
Paul said his longstanding views regarding executive authority had not changed, but that he considered the president's request while casting his vote.
"My opinion on the debate over war and executive power has not changed, and I have voted that way several times," Paul wrote on X.
"But since hostilities seem to be over and the President asked me to give consideration to his negotiating position, I will do so," he continued.
"My vote of present is a way to give the President more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace."
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who has supported war powers resolutions, said after the vote that "this is a different moment," while cautioning that the ceasefire appeared to be "precarious right now."
Asked whether Trump's argument about preserving leverage with Iran influenced Republicans, Murphy responded:
"The Iranians don't — you know, all they have to do is read a poll and find out that people in this country don't support the war. They didn't support the war."
The vote marked a victory for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Republican leadership, who worked to secure support for the administration's position after weeks of debate over Iran policy.
As the vote concluded, Thune and Barrasso met with Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, before calling Trump to share the outcome.
Trump responded on Truth Social by writing, "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!"
The vote also occurred as Senate Republicans continue working on the SAVE Act and amid public discussion about Trump's relationship with Thune.
Moreno dismissed speculation about divisions within Republican leadership.
"There's not a single solitary Senator running for office that says leader Thune should be replaced, not one, even non-incumbents," Moreno said.
He added, "What today showed is that President Trump has a kind of relationship with John Thune where he says, ‘Hey, let me talk to the guys,’ understand the situation. As much as Cassidy and Trump got into it, it was because they're both passionate, they're both smart people."
Moreno concluded, "And now, we've most importantly sent the Iranians a message that President Trump has the full backing of the Congress, and that was an incredibly important day. That's a huge victory for us."
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