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Republicans Split on Trump’s 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, marking a rare political divide within the party.
Republicans Rebut Trump on Iran War Powers, Join Democrats in Vote" "Seven House Republicans, including Tom Barrett, R-Mich., and others, joined all 213 voting Democrats to pass a resolution aimed at reining in the commander-in-chief's war powers. The vote was 220 to 204, with the majority of Republicans still standing by the president.
Republicans who voted to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran have long argued that it's on Congress to declare war, not the White House. The Trump administration has defended the continued military operation against Iran, saying the resolution would improperly restrict the president's ability to protect U.S. forces and national security interests.
The war 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.
President Trump said Wednesday that Iran has contacted the United States 'directly' and 'very much' wants a deal, expressing hope that the nearly seven-month conflict is approaching its end after predicting last week that the fighting would conclude following November's midterm elections.
What's confirmed
- Republicans Rebut Trump on Iran War Powers, Join Democrats in Vote" "Seven House Republicans, including Tom Barrett, R-Mich., and others, joined all 213 voting Democrats to pass a resolution aimed at reining in the commander-in-chief's war powers. The vote was 220 to 204, with the majority of Republicans still standing by the president.
- Republicans who voted to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran have long argued that it's on Congress to declare war, not the White House. The Trump administration has defended the continued military operation against Iran, saying the resolution would improperly restrict the president's ability to protect U.S. forces and national security interests.
- The war 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.
- President Trump said Wednesday that Iran has contacted the United States 'directly' and 'very much' wants a deal, expressing hope that the nearly seven-month conflict is approaching its end after predicting last week that the fighting would conclude following November's midterm elections.
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 the vast majority of Republicans still stand by the president and insist he is well within his authority.
- But it was Republicans who helped put the legislation over the edge.
- Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a well-known critic of Trump’s foreign entanglements, to try to force a vote on impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
- A war powers resolution that cleared the House in July has yet to see any movement in the Senate.
- 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.
- Updated on: September 15, 2026 / 10:46 PM EDT / CBS News Washington — For the third time, the House voted Tuesday to block President Trump from taking further military action against Iran, with seven Republicans breaking with the president.