The war powers resolution passed by 214 votes to 208 after four Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the measure. The Republican lawmakers were Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Introduced by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the resolution directs the president to remove US armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless continued operations receive congressional approval. Its passage marked the second time in two months that the House has backed an attempt to restrict Trump’s conduct of the war.
The measure, however, is unlikely to force an immediate change in military operations. The Senate voted 49-47 to block a separate resolution seeking similar restrictions, preventing Congress from sending a unified war powers measure to the White House.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats in favour of advancing the Senate proposal, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania sided with Republicans against it. Four Republican senators did not vote.
The divided congressional response underlined the limits of the House action. Even if identical legislation were approved by both chambers, Trump could veto it, leaving opponents needing two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate to override him. Supporters nevertheless said the vote established a formal record of opposition to an undeclared and widening conflict.
Thursday’s resolution passed on the 145th day of the war, which began after US and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran on February 28. Eighteen US service members have been killed during the campaign, including four during the previous week.
Jayapal argued that the Constitution gives Congress responsibility for deciding whether the country enters a prolonged war. She said the mounting military deaths, civilian casualties and pressure on household fuel costs had strengthened the case for ending operations that lawmakers had never authorised.
Republicans opposing the resolution said withdrawing forces or limiting Trump’s options would embolden Tehran and weaken troops during active hostilities. Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana accused supporters of placing partisan considerations above national security and argued that Iran remained a direct threat to US interests and regional allies.
The Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war, while presidents have asserted broad powers to conduct shorter operations in response to immediate threats. The 1973 War Powers Resolution requires presidents to consult Congress and generally end unauthorised hostilities within a specified period, but administrations from both parties have disputed or avoided its constraints.
The House had passed an earlier Iran war powers resolution on June 3 by 215 votes to 208. That measure also failed to stop the campaign, illustrating how concurrent resolutions carry political significance but face legal and procedural obstacles when the executive branch refuses to comply.
Congressional unease has intensified as the administration expands attacks following the collapse of an interim truce with Tehran. US forces have continued nightly strikes against military, drone and surveillance sites, while Iran has fired at American bases elsewhere in the region.
Trump also threatened “major military punishment” against Iran and the Tehran-aligned Houthi movement after attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The extension of hostilities towards another major shipping corridor has heightened concerns over energy supplies, freight costs and the security of commercial vessels.
The vote came one day after the House approved a $95 billion package covering military operations and other administration priorities. The proposed spending includes tens of billions of dollars for defence and national security as the Pentagon seeks additional resources for a campaign estimated to have cost $37.5 billion.
The contrasting decisions — approving funding while directing the president to end unauthorised hostilities — reflected divisions within Congress over how to support deployed forces without granting the administration unlimited authority.
Democrats are seeking to connect the war with affordability pressures ahead of November’s midterm elections, particularly as oil and petrol prices rise. Republicans retain narrow majorities in both chambers, leaving a small number of defections capable of reshaping politically sensitive votes.
(IPA Service)
