JUST IN: House Blocks Effort To Limit Trump’s War Powers In Iran Operation

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a War Powers Resolution aimed at halting President Donald Trump’s ability to lead military operations against Iran. Thursday’s vote comes just a day after a similar measure failed in the Senate.

The resolution in question was first introduced on June 17, 2025, when President Trump authorized strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and later Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) the measure invoked Section 5(c) of the 1973 War Powers Resolution. This landmark law, enacted in response to the Vietnam War, requires the president to consult Congress before introducing U.S. forces into hostilities and mandates withdrawal within 60 days unless Congress declares war or authorizes the action.

Massie’s measure specifically directed the president to “remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran” unless a formal declaration of war or specific authorization for military force was enacted. It included a carve-out stating that the directive would not prevent the U.S. from defending itself against an imminent attack.

The resolution initially gained traction among Democrats and a handful of anti-war Republicans, who argued that Trump’s initiation of strikes without prior congressional consent violated the Constitution’s allocation of war powers to the legislative branch. Massie indicated last week that the resolution would be debated this week following the most recent operations against Iran, which began on February 28.

Wednesday’s debate largely broke down along party lines, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-CA) invoking the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq when urging members to vote in favor. Debate was followed a vote on Thursday, which largely broke down along party lines.

Massie was joined by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) in voting in favor of the resolution, making them the only two Republicans to do so. Four Democrats also defected to vote against the resolution, including Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ).

NOW – House Iran war powers resolution, to limit Trump from taking further military action against Iran without congressional approval, voted down 219-212. pic.twitter.com/7hj41qL8gu

— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 5, 2026

“The Iran War Powers Resolution narrowly failed, but we put everyone on record,” Massie said following the measure’s defeat. “We’re being told this military action could last months. That’s the exact circumstance in which the Founders intended for Congress to authorize war, but sadly we’ve now abdicated that responsibility.”

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a combat veteran, strongly opposed the measure during debates. He described it as effectively asking the president to “do nothing” in the face of threats, arguing that Trump’s actions were justified under his constitutional authority to respond to imminent dangers from Iran.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and other GOP leaders framed the resolution as a misguided partisan effort and urged GOP members to vote against.

A similar measure was defeated in the Senate on Wednesday after it failed to advance out of committee.

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