The House passed a resolution on Wednesday aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's military authority in Iran, delivering Congress's first successful rebuke of the administration's war effort after a string of failed Democratic-led attempts.
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Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), the lone Democrat who had repeatedly opposed Iran war powers resolutions, switched his position in this session and voted in favour. Four Republicans also backed the measure: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) and Warren Davidson (R-Ohio).
The resolution is largely symbolic. It would still need to clear the Republican-controlled Senate, and even if it does, Trump retains the authority to veto it.
Earlier efforts to restrict Trump's military campaign have consistently fallen short. Late last month, House Republican leadership suddenly cancelled a scheduled vote on the resolution after realising they lacked the votes to defeat it. Democratic leaders responded by calling their Republican counterparts "cowardly."
Another Democratic attempt ended in a 212-212 tie last month. Golden opposed that resolution, while Massie, Fitzpatrick and Barrett supported it. Several lawmakers were absent.
In the Senate, a separate war powers resolution advanced through a procedural vote last month with support from four Republicans. However, three senators were absent, and the next procedural vote is expected to fail once attendance returns to full strength.
While Republicans have largely stood behind Trump's military campaign, unease within the party has deepened as the conflict stretches on without congressional approval and rising gas prices hit American households.
Some Republicans have cited the War Powers Act's 60-day deadline, which has now expired, as a turning point. The law requires the withdrawal of US forces after the deadline unless Congress authorises their continued deployment. The White House has argued that the requirement does not apply, pointing to the ceasefire negotiated with Iran.
