The US House of Representatives narrowly rejected a Democratic-led resolution seeking to halt the Iran war unless Congress formally authorizes military action, with the measure failing by the slimmest possible margin amid growing unease over President Donald Trump’s military campaign.
The House vote ended in a 212-212 tie, falling short because a majority was required for passage, even as more Republicans broke ranks to support the effort. Three Republicans — Tom Barrett, Brian Fitzpatrick and Thomas Massie — backed the resolution, while one Democrat, Jared Golden, voted against it.
It marked the third House vote this year on an Iran war powers resolution and the first since the conflict crossed a 60-day deadline on May 1 for Trump to seek congressional approval for continued hostilities. Trump had declared at the time that a ceasefire had effectively “terminated” military action against Iran.
Similar efforts have repeatedly failed in the Senate as well, with seven war powers votes blocked so far. But margins have steadily tightened as Republicans maintain only narrow control of both chambers of Congress.
The previous House resolution failed 213-214 on April 16, with just one Republican supporting it and another voting “present.” In the Senate, a comparable resolution was defeated 50-49 on Wednesday after three Republicans joined nearly all Democrats in backing the measure.
Democrats invoke constitutional limits
Democrats argued that Trump must seek authorization from Congress before continuing military operations against Iran, pointing to the US Constitution’s provision granting only Congress the power to declare war.
They warned the president risks dragging the country into a prolonged conflict without a clearly defined strategy, while also blaming the war for rising prices of fuel, food and other goods following the joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran launched on February 28.
The party has increasingly tied the conflict to economic concerns ahead of November’s midterm elections, which will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress. Producer prices in the US surged in April at their fastest pace in four years, driven in part by escalating costs linked to the conflict.
“It is time for the president to come to us, and it is time for us, I believe, to end this war,” said Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during debate on the floor.
White House defends Trump’s authority
Republicans and the White House defended Trump’s actions as lawful under his constitutional powers as commander-in-chief, arguing that presidents can order limited military operations to protect the United States from imminent threats without prior congressional approval.
Some Republicans also accused Democrats of using the war powers resolutions primarily as a political tool against Trump.
“It is 100 percent about theatrics,” said Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, during debate. He argued that repeated war powers challenges risked encouraging Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
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