House Passes War Powers Resolution to End Hostilities with Iran

A bipartisan majority in the Republican-led House voted on Wednesday to pass a war powers resolution directing President Trump to end hostilities with Iran, marking the clearest congressional rebuke yet of his handling of the conflict and its economic fallout. The resolution passed 215-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support.

The vote had been delayed two weeks ago when Republican leaders sent members home early for a May recess, fearing the measure had enough GOP support to pass. However, the break did not shift enough votes to kill the resolution.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump's decision to attack Iran, stating, "Iran declared war on us 47 years ago. They chant 'death to America.' The president is trying to keep the people safe." The vote is largely symbolic, as Democrats have been unable to pass a similar measure through the Republican-led Senate, and President Trump would almost certainly veto it, questioning the constitutionality of the War Powers Act.

Senate Democrats have inched closer, winning support on a procedural measure last month after a handful of Republicans broke ranks. A final Senate vote has not been scheduled.

House Democrats celebrated the passage, with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his deputies calling on the Senate to act. The administration has pushed back against the effort.

The vote signals slipping support for the war among some Republicans, as the conflict, now over 90 days old, lacks a clear end. Talks for a ceasefire have stalled, and hours before the vote, the U.S.

and Iran traded strikes in the Persian Gulf. The conflict began on February 28 with U.S.

and Israeli strikes on Iran. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, the president has 60 days to end hostilities without congressional authorization, with a possible 30-day extension.

The law also allows Congress to end hostilities via a resolution, subject to presidential veto. Rep.

Brian Fitzpatrick, one of the four Republicans who supported the resolution, said, "We have to follow the law. We're past the 60 days, so you have two choices.

You either follow the law or you change the law. You can't violate the law." The other Republicans joining were Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

Following the Iran vote, top Republicans were also rebuked on a measure to provide aid to Ukraine, with six Republicans joining Democrats to move it forward. Rep.

Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he hopes to secure more GOP votes for Ukraine, stating, "Three years down the road they are still fighting for their own freedom. We can't let them down."