The House on Wednesday passed a war powers resolution directing the president to end hostilities with Iran, approving the measure by a roll call of 215 to 208.
Four House Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Tom Barrett of Michigan and Warren Davidson of Ohio — joined Democrats in voting for the resolution, and Rep. Jared Golden of Maine flipped to support it, giving Democrats unanimity on the final roll call.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended President Trump’s decision to attack Iran, saying, "Remember … Iran declared war on us 47 years ago. They chant 'death to America.' The president is trying to keep the people safe," Johnson told reporters.
The vote was described as mostly symbolic; Democrats have been unable to pass a war powers resolution in the Senate, and even if the measure cleared both chambers it would almost certainly be vetoed by President Trump, whose administration has questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Act.
Under the 1973 War Powers Act, the president has 60 days to end hostilities if there has been no congressional authorization, though he may seek a 30-day extension, and the conflict began Feb. 28; reporters said the war passed the statutory 60-day deadline on May 1 and the administration has argued a fragile ceasefire in early April stopped the clock even as attacks continued.
The resolution, introduced in April by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, directs the president "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran," unless Congress declares war or authorizes the use of military force, and Meeks said, "You can expect us to continue to do our jobs."
House Democrats applauded the passage and pressed the Senate to act; Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with deputies Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Pete Aguilar of California, said in a statement, "Following repeated attempts to get sycophants in the Republican-controlled House to join us, House Democrats successfully passed our War Powers Resolution today to stand up for the American people and hold Donald Trump accountable. It is now time for Senate Republicans to do the right thing."
House members had been scheduled to vote on the measure two weeks earlier but Republican leaders pulled the vote and sent members home for a recess when it appeared the resolution had enough Republican support; a final Senate vote on a similar measure has yet to be scheduled.