Senate Republicans dramatically reversed course Wednesday night, blocking a war powers resolution over the conflict in Iran — just one day after a similar measure passed — following an intense pressure campaign from Donald Trump, who publicly and privately lashed out at GOP senators over their opposition.
The reversal came after Trump confronted Republican lawmakers face-to-face earlier Wednesday, furious over Tuesday’s vote to challenge his Iran war policy. The clash has deepened tensions inside the party, pulling attention away from election-year issues like affordability and bringing much of the Senate’s agenda to a standstill.
Trump quickly took to Truth Social to celebrate the buckling of Republican senators, saying, “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! President DJT.”
One of Trump’s sharpest exchanges came with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, one of four Republicans who initially joined Democrats in supporting the war powers measure.
But hours after the confrontation, Cassidy was invited to the White House for a private briefing with Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff. He returned to Capitol Hill and voted against the new, nearly identical resolution.
“I want to thank Vice President Vance and Special Envoy Witkoff for the thorough briefing this afternoon on Iran,” Cassidy posted on X, saying he appreciated the opportunity to address his concerns. The senator, who recently lost his reelection bid after Trump endorsed his challenger, said the briefing helped answer key questions.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, another Republican who has repeatedly voted with Democrats to limit the war, changed his approach by voting “present.” Paul said the move was intended “to give the President more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace.”
The resolution failed 47-50-1 shortly before midnight, sending the Senate into a two-week recess.
The vote appeared to be an effort by Republicans to ease tensions with Trump, who had previously branded GOP senators who opposed him “losers” and reportedly called Cassidy a “lunatic” during a heated luncheon meeting. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and other Republicans contacted Trump after the vote, with Thune saying the president was “pleased with the outcome.”
Trump later thanked Thune online, praised Cassidy and Paul for changing their votes, and declared: “This vote puts Iran on notice!”
The measure blocked Wednesday was separate from the war powers resolution approved Tuesday, which also passed the House. Both measures were largely symbolic and did not carry the force of law.
During the closed-door Republican luncheon, Trump had been expected to push his proof-of-citizenship voting bill. Instead, the Iran vote dominated the meeting. While most senators stayed quiet, Cassidy defended his decision.
“I stood and said, ‘You have not told the American people what’s going on,’” Cassidy told reporters afterward. He argued the war had expanded beyond its original timeline, saying, “This was supposed to last four weeks, it’s lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved.”
Cassidy said he matched Trump’s tone during the exchange but refused to be intimidated. “I am voting for war powers until I get a briefing,” he said afterward. According to a source familiar with the meeting, Trump repeatedly told Cassidy to sit down and insulted him during the confrontation. Trump later publicly described the meeting as “really great,” while acknowledging disagreements remained.
The fight is part of a broader breakdown between Trump and Senate Republicans. The president recently canceled a signing ceremony for a major housing bill that passed both chambers after demanding Congress first send him the SAVE America Act, his proposal requiring proof of citizenship for voters.
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he was confused about why Trump was holding the housing bill “hostage” over a voting measure that likely lacks enough support to pass. Thune called the housing legislation an “affordability issue” and said he hoped Trump would eventually sign it.
The dispute has fueled concerns among Republicans that internal battles are distracting from voter concerns ahead of the midterm elections. Texas Sen. John Cornyn warned, “If we’re going to win the midterm elections, we need to get on the same page. We’re not on the same page now.”
Trump has continued pushing Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster and advance his voting bill, but Thune has repeatedly said neither proposal has the necessary support. With Democrats firmly opposed and the Senate requiring 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, Thune said lawmakers need to accept reality.
“I think people at some point have to come to grips with that,” he said.
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