WASHINGTON (MNN); The Republican-controlled US House of Representatives has approved a resolution calling on President Donald Trump to halt American military operations against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorises further action, marking another symbolic challenge to the administration’s handling of the escalating conflict.
The war powers resolution was passed by a 214-208 vote, with four Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in supporting the measure.
Introduced by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the resolution directs President Trump to withdraw US armed forces from hostilities involving Iran unless Congress formally approves military engagement, reaffirming lawmakers’ constitutional authority over decisions of war.
Although the resolution reflects growing concern within Congress, it is non-binding and does not require the president’s signature, meaning it carries limited legal force and is unlikely to alter current US military operations.
The four Republicans who supported the resolution were Tom Barrett (Michigan), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), Warren Davidson (Ohio) and Thomas Massie (Kentucky). The US Senate is expected to vote on a separate but similar measure later.
The congressional vote came as the United States carried out its 12th consecutive night of military strikes targeting Iranian military sites, while Iran continued retaliatory attacks on US military installations and allied Gulf states.
This week, the remains of four American service members killed in Iran-related attacks were returned to the United States and honoured during military ceremonies.
Meanwhile, regional tensions have expanded beyond direct military confrontation. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after announcing a maritime blockade, while Iran has maintained pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route through which a significant portion of the world’s energy supplies passes.
The House vote highlighted increasing concern among lawmakers over a conflict that began following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran earlier this year and has evolved into a politically sensitive issue ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections.
Representative Pramila Jayapal described the vote as a victory for Americans seeking an end to what she called an “illegal war,” arguing that military action should not continue without congressional approval.
Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly used war powers resolutions to challenge the administration, maintaining that President Trump exceeded his constitutional authority by initiating and continuing military operations without authorization from Congress.
However, most Republican lawmakers continued to support the president. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast defended the administration’s actions, saying the military campaign was necessary in response to attacks attributed to Iran and its regional allies.
Shortly after the House vote, the US Senate narrowly rejected a separate Democratic-backed war powers proposal. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticised Republican senators, urging them to reassert Congress’ constitutional role in decisions involving war and peace.
The White House has maintained that limiting the president’s military authority during the ongoing crisis would weaken Washington’s position and undermine efforts to pressure Tehran.
