Even as a long-term arrangement is being negotiated, President Donald Trump’s rivals on Capitol Hill couldn’t resist making their opinions known in a vote this week.
Following a similar measure that narrowly passed in the House of Representatives, a quartet of Republican senators joined all Democrats in that chamber to advance a measure restricting the president’s war powers and calling for the withdrawal of troops from the region.
The Hill provided this report:
The measure came straight to the Senate floor Tuesday for an up-or-down vote on final passage. It does not need Trump’s signature because it is a concurrent resolution.
ADVERTISEMENTThe resolution does not have the force of law, even though it’s been approved by both chambers.
It directs Trump under the 1973 War Powers Act to remove U.S. troops from hostilities against Iran, though it excepts elements of the armed forces that would be necessary to protect U.S. assets or allies from imminent attack.
Four Republicans voted for the measure: Sens. Rand Paul (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Bill Cassidy (La.).
The same four GOP senators voted last week to discharge a similar resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but it failed to advance because of Democratic attendance issues.
Although not unexpected, the four GOP defections nevertheless attracted some social media scorn:
I mean it's over so, cool I guess… #AmericaFirst
— John Sullivan (@realJohnSullivn) June 23, 2026
And Trump vetos it. Now they can't get 2/3 majority to over ride his veto. End of this Liberal game.
— God & Country (@kitjones9) June 23, 2026
It won’t go further and should not have been brought up. Furthermore, it is bad policy. For example, if a missile is fired at US forces, the President has to act. It really doesn’t matter what the Senate says (and why these resolutions are an incredibly bad idea).
— Wisdom Seeker (@ChrisSc89540430) June 23, 2026
Theatre. The resolution has no direct legal force to force withdrawal.
— Gayle (@GayleWyndham) June 23, 2026
Here’s what CBS News added:
Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Warren Davidson of Ohio voted with Democrats on passage. Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, who has voted against the three previous failed attempts, also dropped his opposition and voted for the measure, giving his party unanimity on the issue for the first time.
In the Senate, Tuesday’s vote marked the tenth time Senate Democrats have forced a war powers vote since the war began in late February, putting pressure on the GOP as support for the war has become shakier. On the eighth attempt, the Senate advanced a resolution led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia to limit Mr. Trump’s war powers in Iran in a 50 to 47 vote. The same four Republicans who supported Tuesday’s concurrent resolution voted to advance Kaine’s war powers measure last month, while three GOP members’ absences tipped the scales in Democrats’ favor.
And here’s some additional coverage:
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!