Senate Advances 50-47 War Powers Resolution Against Trump

The Senate advanced a war powers resolution Tuesday by a 50-47 vote, moving legislation that would force President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for the Iran war or withdraw troops. The vote sent the measure to final passage after Republicans had repeatedly blocked similar efforts.

Bill Cassidy Breaks With Trump

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy voted for the legislation for the first time after losing his primary election last week. Cassidy said after returning to Washington, "I was proud of my work to uphold the Constitution."

That switch mattered because the Senate margin was narrow enough that every Republican defection counted. Republican Sens. Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski also voted for similar war powers resolutions again Tuesday, giving the measure just enough support to advance despite the Republican absences that would still be enough to defeat it later if those lawmakers hold their positions.

Trump, Graham, And The GOP

Trump ordered the attack on Iran at the end of February, and the war remains in a fragile ceasefire while the conflict has pushed U.S. gas prices higher. Democrats have forced repeated votes on war powers resolutions since then, but Republicans had previously been able to reject those proposals.

On Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham said on NBC that Cassidy lost his Louisiana primary because he "tried to destroy" President Trump and said the GOP is "the party of Donald Trump". Trump had endorsed Cassidy's opponent, Julia Letlow, in the primary.

Final Passage Ahead

The legislation will get a vote on final passage, but the timing was not immediately clear. The narrow Tuesday vote left both sides focused on whether the same Republican support will hold when the Senate takes the measure up again.