Story perspectives

Bipartisan Senators Pass War-Powers Rebuke, Call Trump “Murder Hornet”

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Democrats to pass a war-powers resolution, the Senate's first rebuke of President Donald Trump's authority.
GOP senators at a June 24, 2026 lunch called President Donald Trump “mad as a murder hornet.”
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said he will not be bullied after confronting President Donald Trump on Iran war-powers resolution, noting he matched the president’s tone before de-escalating.

History

Historical Context

The War Powers Resolution, adopted on 7 November 1973 after Congress overrode President Nixon’s veto by two-thirds majorities (Senate 50-49, House 12-2), forces the president to notify Congress within 48 hours and limits deployments to 60 days. Senators Murkowski, Collins and Rand Paul now echo that 1973 push, rebuking former President Trump’s claims of unchecked war-making authority.

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Story summary

Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY) joined Democrats to pass a war-powers resolution, the Senate's first rebuke of President Donald Trump's authority.
GOP senators at a June 24, 2026 lunch called President Donald Trump “mad as a murder hornet.”
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said he will not be bullied after confronting President Donald Trump on Iran war-powers resolution, noting he matched the president’s tone before de-escalating.

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