Senate rejects measure to restrict Trump's Iran war powers as key Republicans shift

The Senate late Wednesday rejected a measure aimed at restricting President Trump's power to wage war against Iran, in a victory for the president and Senate GOP leadership as they seek to quell congressional discontent with the Trump administration's Iran strategy. The procedural motion failed in a 50 to 47 vote, with two Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski — voting in favor of advancing the resolution by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, siding with most Democrats. Republican Sen. Rand Paul voted present, and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted no. Just one day earlier, four Republicans voted yes on a separate House-passed resolution to restrict Mr. Trump's war powers, allowing it to narrowly pass. Those same four GOP lawmakers had voted to advance the Kaine resolution in an earlier procedural vote last month — the first time an Iran war powers resolution had moved forward in the Senate after seven failed attempts. Kaine's resolution would have directed Mr. Trump to "remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran," unless authorized by Congress. It would have required the president's signature if it had passed the House and Senate, unlike Tuesday's resolution, which will not go to the president's desk. The Kaine resolution's practical impact was unclear since the president would likely have vetoed the measure even if it passed. The Trump administration has also argued the U.S. …