President Donald Trump’s meeting with Senate Republicans, initially aimed at advancing voter identification legislation, erupted into a heated exchange primarily concerning the war in Iran and a war powers resolution that passed earlier in the week. The discussion also touched upon the stalled SAVE America Act and a bipartisan housing package.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., described a confrontation with the President where he questioned the administration's handling of the Iran conflict. "He asked, ‘why would anybody vote for the War Powers Act?’," Cassidy recounted. "As he continued, I said, ‘is that a rhetorical question, or would you like to really know?’ He said, ‘I'd like to know.’"
Cassidy stated that he told the President, "you have not told the American people what's going on. It was supposed to last four weeks, it's lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved, and I want to know what's going on."
According to a source familiar with the closed-door meeting, Trump was "very animated" about the war powers vote, which he believed undermined the administration's negotiating position with Iran. The source indicated that Trump "named names" of Republicans who had voted with Democrats on the resolution. The exchange was described as a "7 out of 10" in intensity.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated that Trump emphasized the importance of the SAVE America Act and his perceived path to its passage. "So, it really wasn't on that particular issue, much of a back and forth," Thune said of the discussion on voter ID legislation. Lawmakers present indicated they did not push back on Trump's desire to pass the bill, despite awareness of Democratic opposition and a lack of Republican consensus to end the filibuster for its passage.
Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., characterized the President's remarks on the SAVE America Act as a warning about future trouble if the legislation wasn't enacted, rather than a discussion about its immediate passage prospects.
The meeting occurred shortly after Trump reportedly scuttled a ceremony for the 21st Century Road to Housing Act. Lawmakers reported that the housing package and a resolution for the SAVE America Act were not discussed further during the meeting.