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Senate Republicans voted down a war powers resolution late Wednesday, hours after President Donald Trump berated GOP senators at a Capitol luncheon for allowing a similar measure to pass the previous day. The resolution failed 47-50-1, with four Republicans who had voted with Democrats on Tuesday switching their positions after intense pressure from Trump. Source: AP News
During the closed-door lunch, Trump demanded to know why any Republican would vote for the War Powers Act. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), one of the four defectors, stood up and replied, “You have not told the American people what’s going on.” He noted the war was supposed to last four weeks but had continued for four months. Trump raised his voice, called Cassidy a “lunatic,” and ordered him to sit down. Cassidy said he lost his temper and shouted back at the same volume, eventually sitting down to de-escalate. Source: CNN, AP News
Hours after the shouting match, Cassidy was invited to the White House for a briefing on Iran by Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff. He then returned to vote against the identical war powers resolution, along with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who voted present. “I appreciate the quick invitation to the White House to address many of my concerns,” Cassidy wrote on X. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Trump was “pleased with the outcome.” Source: The Guardian, AP News
The episode highlights growing unease among congressional Republicans about Trump’s handling of the Iran war and his willingness to upend GOP legislative priorities. While most senators avoid public criticism, Cassidy, who lost his primary after Trump endorsed a rival, has become one of the president’s sharpest critics. The war powers votes were largely symbolic and do not carry the force of law. Source: CNN
““I stood and said, ‘You have not told the American people what’s going on.’ This was supposed to last four weeks, it’s lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved.””
“Trump then called Cassidy a “lunatic.” In response, Cassidy shouted at Trump, in one instance referring to Trump as his “brother.” Trump told him he wasn’t his “brother” — and eventually Cassidy sat down.”
“Kentucky senator Rand Paul, a Republican who has repeatedly voted with Democrats to halt the war, voted present this time “to give the President more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace”.”
““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.””
“The measure failed 47-50-1 just before midnight on Wednesday, and the Senate then left town for a two-week recess.”