House Passes Resolution to Limit Trump’s War Powers in Iran
The House of Representatives passed a resolution on Wednesday, dealing a setback to President Donald Trump as Democrats, joined by a few Republicans, voted to restrict his war powers in Iran. The vote was 215-208 to require congressional authorization before using military force against Iran.
Every Democrat present supported the measure to effectively pause the U.S. military actions in Iran. Republican representatives Thomas Massie from Kentucky, Warren Davidson from Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick from Pennsylvania, and Tom Barrett from Michigan broke ranks with their party and backed the resolution.
Massie, a known critic of Trump, and Davidson, aligned with libertarian views, have both expressed opposition to the conflict with Iran. Fitzpatrick and Barrett are in swing districts facing tough re-election campaigns.
Thousands protested in Tehran’s Revolution Square on May 30, 2026, against U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, with flags and signs praising the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu)
A significant number of Republicans stood with the president as Democrats pushed the vote.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Republican from Florida, criticized the vote. He called it a political stunt without substance.
The resolution’s passage is seen as largely symbolic due to the likelihood of a presidential veto and the absence of a veto-proof majority. Even if Congress combines support to challenge the president, it remains unclear if Trump would pull U.S. troops.
The Trump administration views the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional oversight of military actions, as unconstitutional. A similar resolution was advanced by the Senate in May but has not united Democrats in both chambers to present it to the president.
President Trump experienced a major rebuke in the House with the passage of the war powers resolution aiming to stop U.S. military involvement in Iran. (Aaron Schwartz/AFP via Getty Images)
The resolution’s GOP defections reflect growing Republican dissatisfaction with Trump’s approach to the conflict. There have been discussions of a potential deal with Iran, but tensions persist as both sides continue hostilities.
A Fox News poll in May revealed that about 60% of voters oppose military action in Iran, while 72% believe the U.S. is winning the conflict.
Some Republicans argue this resolution might impede efforts to end the war, which they claim has largely decreased since an initial ceasefire in April.
Rep. Abe Hamadeh, a Republican from Arizona, commented that the conflict appears to have wound down, suggesting President Trump should have the freedom to negotiate.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York who proposed the resolution, explained the GOP leadership initially delayed voting on it due to attendance issues. Meeks argued the resolution had enough support to pass.