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Republicans Defy Trump on Iran War Powers, Join Democrats in Vote
Confirmed
In Short: A handful of House Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution aimed at reining in President Trump's war powers in Iran.
A handful of House Republicans defied President Donald Trump on Tuesday, joining Democrats to pass a resolution aimed at reining in the commander-in-chief's war powers in Iran. The measure, which passed with a 220 to 204 vote, was the third time the House had voted to block Trump from taking further military action against Iran.
The Trump administration has argued that the president is acting within his constitutional authority as commander in chief and has defended the continued military operation against Iran. However, the vast majority of Republicans still stand by the president and insist he is well within his authority. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 generally allows a president to engage U.S. forces in combat for 60 days without congressional approval, with an additional 30-day withdrawal period.
The conflict in Iran has become a political lightning rod in the current midterm election season, dividing Republicans and providing political fodder for Democrats who have accused Trump of getting into another "forever war." The conflict has also been blamed by some lawmakers and analysts for higher prices at the gas pump, which is expected to be a top issue for voters.
A war powers resolution that cleared the House in July has yet to see any movement in the Senate. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a well-known critic of Trump's foreign entanglements, is also trying to force a vote on impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The House's latest vote on the Iran war powers resolution marks a significant shift in Republican ranks, with seven lawmakers breaking with the president.
What's confirmed
- A handful of House Republicans defied President Donald Trump on Tuesday, joining Democrats to pass a resolution aimed at reining in the commander-in-chief's war powers in Iran. The measure, which passed with a 220 to 204 vote, was the third time the House had voted to block Trump from taking further military action against Iran.
- The Trump administration has argued that the president is acting within his constitutional authority as commander in chief and has defended the continued military operation against Iran. However, the vast majority of Republicans still stand by the president and insist he is well within his authority. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 generally allows a president to engage U.S. forces in combat for 60 days without congressional approval, with an additional 30-day withdrawal period.
- The conflict in Iran has become a political lightning rod in the current midterm election season, dividing Republicans and providing political fodder for Democrats who have accused Trump of getting into another "forever war." The conflict has also been blamed by some lawmakers and analysts for higher prices at the gas pump, which is expected to be a top issue for voters.
- A war powers resolution that cleared the House in July has yet to see any movement in the Senate. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a well-known critic of Trump's foreign entanglements, is also trying to force a vote on impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The House's latest vote on the Iran war powers resolution marks a significant shift in Republican ranks, with seven lawmakers breaking with the president.
What's still developing
- “I’ve been consistent on that since the war powers provision expired after 60 days of engagement,” Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., told Fox News Digital on Tuesday morning ahead of the vote.
- But it was Republicans who helped put the legislation over the edge.
- The Pentagon has said Operation Epic Fury — the military's term for the initial strikes against Iran — ended in May, but the U.S. and Iran have continued to exchange fire for months, and a ceasefire intended to bring the war to an end fell apart in July.
- "The administration has yet to demonstrate that seven months of war have produced a lasting strategic resolution to the threats posed by Iran," Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said during floor debate Monday night.
- Barrett was among the group who voted to rein in Trump’s war powers, along with Reps. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Nancy Mace, R-S.C., Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Marianette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and Zach Nunn, R-Iowa.