The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a measure that would require President Donald Trump to terminate the war with Iran unless he obtains explicit congressional authorization.

The vote marks the first time the lower chamber of Congress has formally challenged the White House regarding the ongoing conflict.

The House approved the war powers resolution in a 215-to-208 vote, drawing support from four Republican lawmakers.

Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine who had voted against the resolution during three previous unsuccessful attempts, reversed his position to support the measure. His vote secured complete unity among the House Democratic caucus.

Republican Representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan, and Warren Davidson of Ohio joined Democrats in voting in favor of the resolution.

Democratic lawmakers erupted in applause on the House floor immediately after the measure was adopted.

The vote had originally been scheduled to take place before members of Congress left Washington for the Memorial Day recess. However, House Republican leaders pulled the measure from the legislative calendar at the last minute after realizing they lacked the necessary votes to defeat it. Several Republican representatives had failed to attend the session, and other Republicans were anticipated to cross party lines to support the resolution.

The US Senate also advanced similar legislation in May aimed at limiting President Trump’s war powers regarding Iran.

Four Republican senators voted with all but one Democrat to advance that measure. That legislative progress, which followed seven failed votes, was also facilitated by the absence of three Republican senators.

However, the procedural vote in the Senate represented only the preliminary phase of the legislative process. Republicans are expected to have further opportunities to block the bill in the coming days.

It remains unclear when the Senate will hold a vote on the version passed by the House. House Democratic leaders issued a statement calling on Senate Republicans to “do the right thing.”

GOP support for the conflict began to erode after the hostilities exceeded the 60-day limit stipulated under the War Powers Act of 1973. The statute mandates that the president must withdraw US armed forces from hostilities if Congress has not declared war or enacted specific military authorization.

The conflict surpassed that statutory limit on May 1. However, the Trump administration asserted that a fragile ceasefire enacted in early April paused the 60-day clock, even though both sides have launched attacks since that date.

The Trump administration also contends that the War Powers Act of 1973 is unconstitutional. That legal interpretation, however, has never been tested in court.

Republicans who support the efforts to curb Trump’s military authority on Iran have expressed growing unease over the continuation of the war without congressional approval, as well as the absence of a clear exit strategy to end the conflict.

Some GOP lawmakers worry that low public support for the war, combined with its economic repercussions, could jeopardize the Republican Party’s prospects of retaining control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections in November.

Representative Ashley Hinson, an Iowa Republican campaigning for a US Senate seat, warned during a private conversation at a campaign event last week that the conflict could become a political liability if it extends “beyond the next few weeks.”

According to an audio recording obtained by CBS News, Hinson stated that the continuation of the war could present a “political liability.”

Trump, however, stated last month that he is under no pressure to secure an agreement with Iran prior to the midterms.

“Everybody is saying, ‘Oh, the midterms are coming, he’s rushing.’ I’m in no rush at all,” Trump said.

The resolution adopted on Wednesday was introduced in April by Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The measure directs the president “to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran” unless Congress formally declares war or provides specific authorization for the use of military force.

Representative Brian Mast of Florida, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the measure earlier on Wednesday, calling it a “foolish political vote.”

Mast argued that the resolution “weakens the president’s hand in his negotiations with Iran.”

Speaking after the vote, Meeks rejected the assertion that war powers resolutions undermine the president in diplomatic negotiations with Tehran.

When asked whether Democrats would introduce similar votes to end the conflict with Iran, Meeks told reporters, “You can expect that we will continue to do our job.”

“We will continue to fulfill our constitutional responsibilities,” Meeks added.

Representative Fitzpatrick, who supported a similar war powers resolution in May, defended his vote, stating: “The law is the law.”

“We have to follow the law. There is a law on the books,” Fitzpatrick said.

The Republican lawmaker added: “You have two choices. You either follow the law, or you change the law. You can’t break the law. That’s not an option.”

During floor debates on May 20, Democrats questioned why Republicans had not held a vote on an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to establish a legal framework for Trump’s military operations against Iran.

“If my Republican colleagues believe this is justified, they should bring an authorization for use of military force to the floor,” Meeks said.

An AUMF bill introduced by Barrett in early May has reportedly failed to garner significant legislative support.

Representative Kevin Kiley, a California Independent who caucuses with the Republicans, argued that Congress possesses “better tools” to assert its authority.

Kiley pointed to the power of the purse, noting: “We have the ability to direct how funds are used.”

“I understand people wanting to use every tool at their disposal,” Kiley said. “But I think Congress should utilize its oversight tools and Article I powers, which can actually produce effective outcomes here.”

The US administration is proposing new tariffs of at least 10% on imports from 60 trading partners, following an investigation into goods allegedly produced using forced labor.

According to a Bloomberg report citing sources within the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), the specific tariff rates will vary based on individual countries’ legislative frameworks regarding forced labor and their capacity to enforce those laws.

Under the drafted regulations, a 10% tariff rate will apply to imports from the European Union, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and several other nations. Conversely, goods arriving from China, India, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Brazil will be subject to a 12,5% tariff.

The USTR stated that the lower tariff rate will apply to products from nations that prohibit forced labor or have committed to doing so. The agency emphasized that states failing to establish such prohibitions or lacking the capacity to effectively enforce them will face the higher tariff rate.

Bloomberg reported that this step represents a continuation of President Donald Trump’s policy to reinstate across-the-board tariffs on all countries, which had previously been ruled unconstitutional.

The proposed tariffs are the result of investigations initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Commenting on the development, Deborah Elms, Head of the Trade Policy Group at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore, said, “This is highly significant because Section 301 is an extremely powerful tool and is highly unlikely to be overturned. This opens the door to a range of new tariff and non-tariff measures.”

The report noted that the tariffs are being introduced at what could be a turning point for the global economy.

Financial markets are already navigating a sensitive period due to rising gas and oil prices driven by conflict in Iran.

The new tariffs will not take effect immediately. Before implementation, a review and evaluation period will be conducted, which may lead to modifications in the draft proposal.

According to the timeline reported by Bloomberg, written comments on the tariffs must be submitted by July 6. Additionally, the Section 301 Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on July 7.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer argued that forced labor practices in partner nations force American workers to compete on an unequal playing field. “We will no longer tolerate this unfairness,” Greer said.

On the other hand, the USTR proposed certain tariff exemptions that could affect apparel and textile imports. While these goods could enter the US at reduced tariff rates, quotas would be determined based on the respective countries’ existing textile exports to the US.

Beef, tomatoes, bananas, coffee, orange juice, and several other food products will be entirely exempt from the tariffs. Furthermore, double taxation will not be imposed on metals, specific fuel types, and chemicals that are already subject to other duties.

In May, the US Court of International Trade ruled that the 10% tariff on foreign imports promoted by President Donald Trump was unlawful. Defending the White House’s objectives following the court ruling, Trump characterized the judges as “radical left-wing” and remarked, “Nothing surprises me. We always find different ways. We make a decision and act in another way.”

In February, the US Supreme Court also ruled that tariffs established by Trump were contrary to the law. The court concluded that the president had exceeded his authority in imposing those duties. Trump, however, claimed that the court was under foreign influence.

Google is seeking federal approval to release nearly 32 million mosquitoes in California and Florida as part of a biological pest-control initiative known as the Debug project.

The little-known program aims to combat disease-carrying mosquitoes by releasing millions of sterile male mosquitoes into the environment, an approach designed to stop “bad bugs with good bugs.”

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquitoes are classified as the world’s deadliest animals. Of the more than 3,500 mosquito species that exist globally, only Aedes aegypti is responsible for transmitting dengue fever, Zika virus and chikungunya, diseases that sicken hundreds of millions of people each year.

In a statement published on the official website of the Debug project, Google described the issue as a difficult problem to solve, noting that many mosquito-borne diseases lack effective vaccines or treatments.

The statement argued that relying on pesticides is not a sustainable solution because such chemicals become less effective over time and can be toxic. It also said that eliminating standing water alone is insufficient because it is impossible to identify every breeding site used by mosquitoes.

For those reasons, Google said a new approach is required and that it found a solution in what it describes as “good” mosquitoes of the same species.

The project website explains the method as follows:

“Good bugs are the same mosquito species as the bad bugs that spread disease. Our good bugs are male mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia, a naturally occurring bacterium found in nature. This bacterium prevents them from producing offspring with wild female mosquitoes. Male mosquitoes do not bite and cannot spread disease, so the good bugs will stop the bad bugs from reproducing. Over time, fewer bad mosquitoes will remain.”

Scientists involved in the Debug project emphasized that the technique relies entirely on a naturally occurring bacterium, contains no chemicals or toxins, and does not involve genetic modification.

Researchers said similar approaches have been used safely for decades to control other pests. They added that the Debug team is combining scientific and engineering expertise with support from international partners in an effort to suppress disease-carrying mosquito populations.

Project scientists said their approach differs from previous eradication programs because it applies the Sterile Insect Technique on a larger scale through the use of data analytics, sensors and automation.

According to information published in the project’s frequently asked questions section, program officials are working closely with national and local governments, community leaders and research institutions.

Officials said they meet with residents in areas targeted for deployment before operations begin in order to better understand local concerns and priorities.

Google is therefore continuing to pursue federal authorization to implement the project in both California and Florida.

A notice published in the Federal Register shows that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing Google’s applications for an Experimental Use Permit under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

According to details contained in the filing, nearly 16 million mosquitoes would be released in Florida during the first year of the project.

A further 16 million mosquitoes would be released in California during the second year.

Members of the public can obtain additional information and submit comments through the federal rulemaking portal by visiting regulations.gov and entering docket identification number EPA-HQ-OPP-2025-3951.