Senate Republicans blocked a war powers resolution targeting President Trump’s Iran policy after two GOP lawmakers reversed their votes following direct White House intervention.
The dramatic reversal came just one day after the Senate approved the measure directing Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from hostilities with Iran.
Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) both flipped their votes after a closed-door Republican luncheon where Trump and administration officials made their case.
Cassidy switched to a “no” vote after receiving what he called a “thorough briefing” from Vice President JD Vance and other White House officials.
“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.”
Paul explained his reversal on X, saying he changed his vote “to give the President more space and leverage to negotiate a lasting peace” even though his views on executive war powers hadn’t changed.
Tonight I will vote present on the War Powers resolution.
My opinion on the debate over war and executive power has not changed and I have voted that way several times.
But since hostilities seem to be over and the President asked me to give consideration to his…
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 25, 2026
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) spoke with Trump after the vote and said the president appeared “pleased with the outcome.”
Trump celebrated the reversal on Truth Social Wednesday evening.
“Wow! The Senate just changed its vote on Iran from 50-48 against, 50-47 for. Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy changed. Thank you Leader John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Bernie Moreno and all. This vote puts Iran on notice!”
Every GOP senator except Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted against the resolution.
Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the only Democrat to break ranks and oppose the measure. All other Democrats supported it.
The White House lobbying effort delivered Trump a critical win on foreign policy as he pursues what he’s called a lasting peace deal with Iran.
