House votes to curb Trump’s military authority, demanding end to unauthorized Iran conflict

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.”