Donald Trump just lost a major Senate vote on Iran, and he’s not taking it well. Four Republicans broke ranks to deliver a historic war-powers rebuke that has the White House scrambling to downplay.
Four Republicans helped pass the Iran War Powers Resolution
The Senate voted Tuesday to limit President Donald Trump’s Iran war powers, passing a concurrent resolution directing the removal of military forces from the conflict. CNN reports the measure passed 50-48, with Republican Senators Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Bill Cassidy joining Democrats. Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against the resolution in a rare cross-party split.
The absence of Republican Senators Mitch McConnell and Dave McCormick contributed to the measure’s adoption. Both senators have previously voted against advancing war powers resolutions. The House passed the same concurrent resolution earlier this month by a vote of 215-208.
Trump responded Tuesday night on Truth Social, calling the vote “poorly timed and meaningless.” He further accused the Senate of providing “aid and comfort [to] the Enemy” by adopting the resolution. Trump also labeled the four supporting Republicans as losers, claiming they made his job “more difficult.”
A White House official similarly dismissed the vote, saying the resolution “has no significance.” The official blamed the measure’s passage on “Republican absences” rather than genuine opposition. The official also argued that there are no hostilities from which to withdraw forces, citing the April 7th ceasefire.
However, a House Democratic aide told CNN the measure would be binding as a legal matter. Senator Tim Kaine also defended the vote’s timing despite ongoing negotiations with Tehran. He stated it was “a good time to have the vote” to prevent hostilities from restarting without congressional involvement.
This marks the tenth time the Senate has voted on an Iran war powers measure this year. Democrats have gradually gained more Republican support for these efforts in recent weeks. Trump previously called four House Republicans who supported the resolution “GRANDSTANDERS” and labeled their action “unpatriotic” on Truth Social.
