A small group of House Republicans joined Democrats on Tuesday night to pass a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s ongoing military operation in Iran.The measure passed 220 to 204, with seven Republicans voting alongside all 213 Democrats present.
Opposing the resolution were 203 Republicans and Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, an independent who caucuses with the GOP.The resolution was introduced by Rep. Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat, and co-sponsored by 14 House Democrats, among them Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado and Pramila Jayapal of Washington.
Republican support, however, proved decisive in securing passage.
At the centre of the dispute is the constitutional division of war-making authority. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 permits a president to commit U.S. forces to hostilities for up to 60 days without congressional authorisation, with a further 30-day withdrawal window in certain circumstances. Supporters of the new measure contend that window has already lapsed.Rep. Tom Barrett, a Michigan Republican, said ahead of the vote that his position had not shifted since the 60-day authorisation period expired.
The Trump administration maintains that the president is operating within his constitutional powers as commander in chief, and has said the resolution would improperly limit his ability to safeguard U.S. forces and national security interests.Marlin Stutzman of Indiana told Fox News Digital that the president had managed the situation well and had honoured a pledge to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.The conflict has become a flashpoint in the current midterm election season, splitting Republicans and giving Democrats an opening to accuse the administration of drawing the country into another prolonged war.
Some lawmakers and analysts have also linked the war to higher fuel prices, an issue expected to weigh heavily with voters.Tensions within the Republican conference have surfaced elsewhere as well. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a longstanding critic of U.S. foreign military entanglements, has sought to force a vote on impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.The Senate passed a similar resolution in June, also with several Republican defections.
Even if identical legislation clears both chambers, Trump has signalled his opposition, making a presidential veto all but certain.