Story perspectives

Senate Rejects Kaine War Powers Bill, Trump Labels GOP ‘Losers’

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senate rejected Democratic Senator Tim Kaine's war-powers resolution on June 25, 50-47-1, after Republicans flipped votes from a June 23 approval.
President Donald Trump called the Republican senators who supported the June 23 vote “losers” on Truth Social, saying the measure makes his job harder.
Administration officials say the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, claim the ceasefire ended hostilities, and note the resolutions need no presidential signature.

History

Historical Context

In 1973, amid Vietnam-era backlash over secret Cambodian bombings, Congress overrode President Nixon’s veto and enacted the War Powers Resolution, requiring a 48-hour notice and limiting deployments to 60 days without congressional approval. Senator Tim Kaine’s 2020 war-powers amendment, aimed at tightening that limit, is now being rejected by a Republican-led Senate, echoing the long-standing clash over who controls U.S. military action.

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Story summary

Senate rejected Democratic Senator Tim Kaine's war-powers resolution on June 25, 50-47-1, after Republicans flipped votes from a June 23 approval.
President Donald Trump called the Republican senators who supported the June 23 vote “losers” on Truth Social, saying the measure makes his job harder.
Administration officials say the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, claim the ceasefire ended hostilities, and note the resolutions need no presidential signature.

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