President Donald Trump is facing a rare bipartisan rebuke from Congress after the House of Representatives approved a war powers resolution aimed at restricting future U.S. military action against Iran without explicit congressional authorization, marking the first time such a measure has cleared the chamber.
The vote, which passed 215-208, represents a significant escalation in the ongoing struggle between Congress and the White House over war-making authority. The resolution follows weeks of debate surrounding Operation Epic Fury and broader U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran, even as the administration argues that active hostilities have effectively ceased under a fragile ceasefire arrangement.
The House vote exposed divisions within the Republican Party while demonstrating unusual Democratic unity. Four Republicans - Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan, and Warren Davidson of Ohio - joined Democrats in supporting the measure.
The final tally also reflected a shift among Democrats. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine dropped his previous opposition, helping deliver unanimous Democratic support after three earlier attempts failed to achieve party-wide backing.
The legislation's passage came after House Republican leaders reportedly postponed an earlier vote when it became apparent the measure would succeed. According to CBS News, leadership pulled the proposal two weeks ago before ultimately allowing it to reach the floor.
The House action follows a similar development in the Senate, where lawmakers also approved a war powers resolution targeting military operations involving Iran. The measure passed 50-47 after Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy reversed his previous position following his defeat in a Republican primary contest.
Cassidy joined Republican Sens. Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski in supporting the effort. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to oppose the resolution.
Explaining his decision, Cassidy criticized what he described as insufficient transparency surrounding the administration's military campaign.
"While I support the administration's efforts to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury," Cassidy wrote in a social media statement. "Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified."
Supporters of the resolution argue that Congress is exercising its constitutional responsibility to oversee military engagements. The House measure, introduced in April by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, directs the president "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran" unless lawmakers formally authorize continued military action.
Republican leaders opposed the measure, warning that congressional intervention could complicate ongoing negotiations with Tehran.
Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, dismissed the effort as a "stupid political vote" that "weakens the president's hands as he's negotiating with Iran."
Mast defended congressional oversight while rejecting suggestions that lawmakers were undermining diplomacy.
"We're going to continue to do our constitutional responsibilities," he said after the vote.
The White House signaled it has little intention of treating the measure as binding. An administration official told ABC News that even if the resolution receives final congressional approval, it would have "no force or effect."
The official added that "President Trump will continue to protect our national security using his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief while being transparent with Congress."
