House Passes War Powers Resolution to End U.S. Military Action Against Iran
The House of Representatives approved a war powers resolution in a bipartisan rebuke that would halt U.S. military action against Iran, with four Republicans crossing party lines to support limiting the president's war powers in an ongoing three-month conflict.
Resolution Passes in Bipartisan Effort
The House approved a war powers resolution that would halt the U.S. military action against Iran, defying the president as a handful of Republicans joined with Democrats to end the three-month-long war that has reordered politics at home and abroad. The vote was 215 to 208 with Republican Reps. Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Barrett and Warren Davidson crossing party lines to support the resolution.
What the Resolution Does
The measure, known as a concurrent resolution, passed by the House Wednesday must be approved by both chambers, but would not go to the president to be signed. Democrats have repeatedly forced votes to limit Trump's war powers in both the House and the Senate – a campaign that has gradually picked up more GOP support in recent weeks.
Broader Context: Ceasefire Negotiations
The vote comes as diplomatic efforts continue in the Middle East. Israel and Lebanon have agreed to "the implementation of a ceasefire," but it is contingent on "a complete cessation" of Hezbollah fire and removal of all Hezbollah operatives from southern Lebanon, according to a joint statement released after the latest round of US-mediated talks. "The negotiation itself has gone very well — actually, very well — even if it happens, and it might not happen, but if it happens, it could happen like over the weekend," Trump said.
Frustration Among Americans
One of the four House Republicans who voted to curb President Donald Trump's war powers in Iran told CNN that Americans are frustrated by the conflict. "I think that people are frustrated, certainly," Rep. Tom Barrett told CNN after the vote, when asked about the pain his constituents felt stemming from the war.