Senate Democrats advance war powers measure with ousted GOP Sen. Cassidy’s help

Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who lost his primary Saturday because President Trump supported his opponent, got a little revenge Tuesday by helping Democrats advance a resolution to end the president’s conflict with Iran.

The procedural vote, by 50-47, follows a Democratic-led war powers resolution to end hostilities with Iran, without congressional approval. This allows the measure to avoid committee review and get an up or down vote.

Mr. Cassidy had previously opposed Democratic resolutions on similar war powers but reversed his vote on Tuesday, bringing to four the number of Republican senators voting to end the war.

“While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” he said. “In Louisiana, I have heard people, including supporters of President Trump, worry about this war. Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.”

The final vote on the war powers measure, which has not yet been scheduled, could still fail. Three Republican absences affected the outcome of Tuesday’s procedural vote.

If Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama joined other Republicans in opposition on the final vote, it would fall to a 50-50 tie that Vice President JD Vance would not break in the Democratic direction.

Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky also voted for the war powers resolution. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose it.

Mr. Trump told reporters on Tuesday that Democrats’ votes on war powers were purely political, but still hurt his ability to reach a peace deal with Iran that would achieve his goal of ensuring the country never has nuclear weapons.

“We negotiate with Iran, and then the Democrats – I call them the Dumbocrats – introduce a bill that Trump should immediately stop,” he said.

“How do you feel when you’re negotiating and you’re winning every point and they say, ‘But in Washington they want to stop you from negotiating,'” Mr. Trump said. “It’s all politics. It’s the Democrats. They’re stupid.”

Mr Trump said he may have to deal Iran “another blow” if negotiations do not progress. He canceled a strike planned for Monday because intermediary countries involved in the negotiations convinced him to do so.

Republican Party support for ending hostilities with Iran has increased slightly since the conflict passed the president’s 60-day deadline for seeking congressional approval under the War Powers Act.

Mr. Trump argued that hostilities had already ended with a ceasefire, but that further military actions have taken place since then.

“Today we proved that our pressure is working: Republicans are starting to crack and momentum is building to control it,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York.