The U.S. House of Representatives passed a largely symbolic war powers resolution on Thursday, calling on President Donald Trump to halt military action against Iran. The measure passed 214-208 after four Republicans joined Democrats in support, delivering another congressional rebuke as the Middle East war escalates.
What does the war powers resolution require?
The resolution directs Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes the war. As a concurrent resolution, it does not go to the president for signature and carries disputed legal force. Trump is almost certain to ignore it, as he did with a similar measure passed in June.
Why did the House vote on Iran again?
The vote came after the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iranian military targets, marking its 12th consecutive night of attacks. Iran has responded by firing on U.S. bases and American-allied Gulf states. Four U.S. service personnel killed in recent Iran-related attacks were honored this week as their remains returned home in flag-draped cases.
The conflict has also spread across regional shipping lanes. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Wednesday they struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after declaring a maritime blockade. Iran has kept pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
How did Congress react to the vote?
The House vote reflected growing unease in Congress over a war that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. It has become a political burden for Republicans ahead of November's midterm elections. Democratic congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said the war had no clear mission, strategy or end goal.
Democrats have used repeated war powers votes to put Republicans on record over the unpopular conflict. They argue Trump violated the Constitution by launching and sustaining military operations without congressional approval. Most Republicans stood by the president, and House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Brian Mast said the operation was delivering a reckoning for Iranian attacks.
The Senate voted Thursday on a separate war powers measure from Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, which was expected to fail. Congress passed a similar resolution in June, but Trump dismissed that vote as poorly timed and meaningless. The White House has argued that limiting Trump's authority would weaken Washington's leverage against Tehran, while Democrats and some Republicans say Congress must reclaim its constitutional role over war and peace.
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