Congress on Thursday split on advancing war powers resolutions aimed at forcing President Donald Trump to abandon his military conflict with Iran. The House narrowly passed a resolution requiring congressional approval for the war to continue, while the Senate failed to advance a similar measure.
House Vote: The House voted 214-208 to pass a resolution introduced by Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington. Four Republicans—Reps. Tom Barrett (R-MI), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)—joined Democrats in supporting the measure. The resolution directs the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran without explicit congressional authorization.
Senate Vote: The Senate voted 47-49 to reject a resolution led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Only one Republican, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), joined Democrats in voting to advance the measure. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the lone Democrat to oppose it. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rand Paul (R-KY), who have previously supported similar measures, did not vote.
Context and Reactions: The votes come amid escalating hostilities in the region, including recent Iranian attacks that have killed several U.S. service members. The conflict resumed after a fragile ceasefire collapsed on July 8, following Trump's declaration that a memorandum of understanding with Iran was over. The Trump administration has disputed the legality of war powers resolutions, with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) calling the War Powers Act "unconstitutional."
Political Implications: The House vote marked a rare setback for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), whose party holds a narrow majority. Republicans have largely backed the war despite concerns about its political ramifications ahead of the midterm elections. Democrats have forced multiple votes on war powers resolutions, arguing that the conflict lacks congressional authorization and has resulted in significant casualties and financial costs.
Symbolic Significance: While the House resolution is symbolic—it would not require Trump's signature—the vote signals waning support for the war. The Senate's rejection of the measure underscores the difficulty of overriding Trump's authority on military actions. The conflict has now claimed 18 American lives, with no clear end in sight.