House Republicans yanked a critical vote Thursday that could have forced President Trump to withdraw from the ongoing conflict with Iran, showcasing a party in disarray as the administration scrambles for congressional support.
Originally, a war powers resolution spearheaded by Democrats was set to hit the floor, aimed at curbing Trump's unchecked military actions against Iran. But as the reality of insufficient Republican votes loomed—thanks to absences—GOP leaders opted to pull the plug on the vote.
"We had the votes without question and they knew it, and as a result they're playing a political game," declared Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the resolution's sponsor and a key player on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
This latest move underscores the shaky support for a war that Trump initiated nearly three months ago, even as a fragile ceasefire persists between the U.S. and Iran since early April.
Just last week, the House barely rejected a similar war powers resolution in a nail-biting 212-212 tie, with three Republicans siding with Democrats. Earlier this week, the Senate made strides by advancing its own war powers resolution, buoyed by four GOP senators' support and three absentees. This marked a significant moment for Democrats after seven failed attempts to push Iran-related measures.
House Republican Leader Steve Scalise claimed the delay was to allow absent lawmakers a chance to participate. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson dodged questions from reporters as he exited the chamber.
In a scathing joint statement, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and fellow Democratic leaders slammed Republicans as "cowardly" for pulling the vote.
"Even as we prepare to honor our nation's fallen heroes on Memorial Day, House Republicans refuse to show up and be accountable to the brave service members that have been recklessly put in harm's way," they added.
On Capitol Hill, frustration with the war is palpable. Polls indicate that most Americans disapprove of military action against Iran and feel the conflict is not going well. While direct combat is largely paused due to the ceasefire, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to disrupt global shipping and inflate gas prices in the U.S.
The lone Democrat who voted against last week's war powers resolution, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, has signaled he will support it next time around.
Most congressional Republicans have rallied behind Trump's mission to dismantle Iran's nuclear ambitions.
"I'm an American. I don't believe in getting hit and walking away and pretending as though it didn't happen," asserted Rep. Brian Mast, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Yet, an increasing number of Republicans are now contending that Trump's legal window for waging war without congressional consent has closed. Under a 1973 law, presidents have 60 days to engage in military action before Congress must either declare war or authorize military force.
"We're past 60 days so it's got to be brought to us to vote on. We're following the law," stated Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Pennsylvania Republican, who plans to back the war powers resolution.
The White House counters that the War Powers Resolution's stipulations no longer apply due to the ceasefire with Iran. However, Trump revealed he was just an hour away from ordering another strike on Iran earlier this week but held off after Gulf allies indicated they were negotiating peace.
On social media, Trump urged military leaders to "be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached."
The escalating push for a war powers resolution could ignite a legal battle over who holds ultimate authority in military conflicts.
The proposed legislation is a concurrent resolution that would take effect without Trump's signature if it clears both chambers of Congress. Yet Trump has argued that the 1973 law—crafted during the Vietnam War era to reclaim congressional power over foreign conflicts—is unconstitutional.
Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who has opposed previous war powers resolutions, expressed frustration with the Trump administration's stance, particularly from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
"The current status quo demonstrates how incompetent he is," Tillis told reporters, adding he would consider voting for an authorization for military force.
