Senate GOP holds new war powers vote after Trump rebuke

Senate Republicans who were sharply criticised by President Donald Trump over their opposition to his Iran policy sought to mend relations late on Wednesday, voting down a war powers resolution just a day after a similar measure had passed.

Trump had earlier berated Republican senators in a closed-door meeting for allowing Tuesday's vote aimed at curbing his authority over military action in Iran, deepening a dispute that has distracted Republicans from their election-year focus on affordability and disrupted Senate business.

Among those targeted was Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, one of four Republicans who had sided with Democrats on the earlier measure. Trump reportedly exchanged particularly heated words with Cassidy during the meeting.

Hours later, however, Cassidy received a briefing at the White House from Vice-President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff before returning to Capitol Hill to vote against a separate war powers resolution. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who has repeatedly voted with Democrats on Iran-related measures, voted "present" this time, saying on X that he wanted to give the president "more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace". The resolution ultimately failed by a vote of 47-50, with one senator voting present.

"I want to thank Vice-President Vance and Special Envoy 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."

Whether the move will fully appease Trump remains uncertain. The president had previously branded Republicans who opposed his Iran policy as "losers" and reportedly referred to Cassidy as a "lunatic" during their exchange. Nevertheless, the vote appeared to signal an effort by Senate Republicans to ease tensions with the president amid growing strains within the party.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and several Republican colleagues spoke with Trump after the vote. Thune later said the president was "pleased with the outcome".

Trump subsequently thanked Thune on social media and highlighted the changed positions of Cassidy and Paul.

"This vote puts Iran on notice!" Trump wrote.

Cassidy challenges Trump

Trump had attended a Republican luncheon at the invitation of Florida Senator Rick Scott, where he was expected to urge senators to support his proof-of-citizenship voting legislation. Instead, much of the discussion focused on Tuesday's war powers vote.

While most Republicans remained silent, Cassidy defended his earlier decision.

"I stood and said, 'You have not told the American people what's going on,'" Cassidy told reporters afterwards. "This was supposed to last four weeks; it's lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved."

According to Cassidy, the two men exchanged heated remarks and he "matched his tone and volume" before eventually seeking to lower tensions.

"I am voting for war powers until I get a briefing," he said after the meeting.

According to a person familiar with the private discussions, Trump repeatedly told Cassidy to sit down and at one stage called him a "lunatic".

Publicly, however, Trump struck a more conciliatory tone, describing it as "a really great meeting".

"We like everyone in the room," Trump told reporters afterwards. "I don't like a few people, but that's OK."

Housing bill dispute adds to tensions

The meeting capped several weeks of friction between Trump and Senate Republicans. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump abruptly cancelled plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill, saying he would not approve the legislation until Congress passed his SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for all voters.

Republican senators expressed frustration at the move.

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said he did not understand why Trump was holding the housing legislation "hostage" to a voting bill that "will never pass in this Congress".

"It makes no sense to me," Tillis said before the luncheon.

Thune described the housing package as an important affordability measure and expressed hope that Trump would eventually sign it.

Republicans fear the president's refusal to endorse the bill could undermine efforts to demonstrate concern over living costs ahead of November's midterm elections.

Growing Republican unease

Trump's stance on the housing bill is the latest flashpoint in a series of disagreements with Senate Republicans. In recent weeks, he has blocked confirmation of one of his own nominees, pressed senators to support funding for a White House ballroom project and demanded backing for his Iran policy despite concerns within the party about its long-term strategy.

He has also weakened support among some Republicans by endorsing primary challengers against incumbent senators, including Cassidy and Texas Senator John Cornyn. Both have become increasingly critical of Trump since losing their re-election bids.

"If we're going to win the midterm elections, we need to get on the same page," Cornyn said ahead of Wednesday's meeting. "We're not on the same page now, and I think that's dangerous."

Pressure over voting legislation

For months, Trump has urged Republicans to abolish the Senate filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act, despite repeated warnings from Thune that the proposal lacks sufficient support.

Although Thune backs the legislation, he has consistently argued that there are not enough votes to overcome the Senate's 60-vote threshold for most legislation, particularly given unified Democratic opposition.

"I think people at some point have to come to grips with that," Thune said.