Two Republicans Cave to Trump and Vote to Kill War Powers Resolution
Paul voted present, saying his choice would give Trump more room to negotiate a lasting peace.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe New Republic is an established publication with an identifiable author, but it has an opinion-oriented format. This piece relies in part on attributed reporting from the Associated Press and presents a strongly argued interpretation rather than independent, multi-source reporting.
- Source type — Opinion-oriented publication; the article uses overtly evaluative language.
- Transparency — The article attributes some reporting to the Associated Press and identifies the source of several quotations.
- Author attribution — A named author is identified.
- Editorial standards — An established publication, though the article is commentary rather than a straight news report.
The article attributes several details and quotations to named sources or posts, but offers little independent evidence or context about the measures and does not present a developed response from the senators or the White House. Its argument is explicit and relies on loaded language.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The piece includes Cassidy’s and Paul’s explanations and notes that the resolutions were largely symbolic, but it is an opinion article whose central argument is sharply critical of the Republicans’ changed votes. It does not develop a counterargument for their position.
- Counterarguments presented — Paul’s stated rationale is included, but the case for the votes is not explored in depth.
- Loaded language — The piece uses openly derisive and condemnatory language.
- Source diversity — The article cites the Associated Press and includes senators’ statements, but presents limited perspectives.
- Opinion vs reporting — The article’s interpretation is prominent and stated as an argument.
The article strongly criticizes Trump and the Republicans who changed their votes, using derisive language and framing the changes as capitulation. The article’s opinionated framing leans strongly left.
- Language tone — Uses pejorative phrasing, including describing senators’ spines as “made of pudding.”
- Framing — Frames the changed votes as Republicans sacrificing their principles to Trump.
- Source selection — Quotes senators’ explanations but offers no developed defense of the vote from supporters of Trump’s position.
Senators Bill Cassidy and Rand Paul changed their positions on a Senate war-powers measure after President Trump criticized Republicans who had supported limiting his authority over Iran. The article says the votes were largely symbolic and would not have forced a change in Trump’s actions.
The article reports that Republican senators rejected a resolution to limit Trump’s war powers after Trump berated Cassidy for supporting a similar measure the previous day. Cassidy said he had criticized Trump for not being clear with Congress and the public about Iran; after a White House briefing with Vice President J.D. Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff, Cassidy voted the other way on a nearly identical measure. Cassidy thanked Vance and Witkoff for the briefing in a post on X.
Paul also changed his position, voting “present.” He said the vote would give Trump more room to negotiate. The article says Trump celebrated the outcome and that neither resolution could force him to change his actions in Iran. Its author characterizes the Republicans’ votes as sacrificing their principles to Trump.
Community verdict
11 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →Senator who changed his vote on the war-powers resolution
Cassidy's version of this story ↗President who criticized senators supporting the resolution and celebrated its rejection
Trump's version of this story ↗Senator mentioned in Trump’s response to the vote
Senator mentioned in Trump’s response to the vote
Senate majority leader mentioned in Trump’s response to the vote
Vice President who briefed Cassidy at the White House
Part of a bigger story
11 OUTLETSThe Senate rejected an Iran war-powers resolution after Rand Paul voted present and Bill Cassidy voted against it, reversing earlier support. Left-leaning outlets frame the changed votes as yielding to Trump’s pressure. Center outlets focus on the Senate vote and changed positions, with some also noting Trump’s celebration or Paul’s stated wish to leave room to negotiate. Right-leaning outlets present the rejection as a win for Trump or his negotiating leverage, while noting Paul’s stated rationale.
- ARTICLES
- 11
- OUTLETS
- 11
- AVG CRED
- 61
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