President Donald Trump and House Republican leaders lost their attempt to defeat a Democratic-led war powers resolution Wednesday that would limit Trump’s authority to wage war in Iran.
The House voted to pass the resolution in a 215-208 vote, dealing a major blow to Republicans and the Trump administration. The resolution, sponsored by Democratic New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, would direct Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran other than those “necessary to defend the United States” or an ally from an “imminent attack.”
The Senate also must pass a resolution before restrictions on the war can take effect. Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a president has 60 days to engage in a military conflict before Congress must either declare war or authorize the use of military force.
Republican Reps. Warren Davidson of Ohio, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Tom Barrett of Michigan joined Democrats in passing the resolution.
Before the Memorial Day recess, the House abruptly delayed a scheduled May 22 vote on the resolution because several Republican lawmakers were absent. (RELATED: Trump Doubles Down On Prioritizing Iran War Over Americans’ Financial Pains)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 27: U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (C) speaks as (L-R) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy listen during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on May 27, 2026 in Washington, DC. Trump meets with his Cabinet days after saying a peace deal with Iran was “largely negotiated” amid expectations around the re-opening the Strait of Hormuz. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a Tuesday press gaggle that Democrats intended to end the “reckless and costly” war.
“House Democrats are going to advance a war powers resolution on the floor this week, and all we need are a handful of Republicans to join us, and we can end this reckless and costly moral choice. A war that has cost the American taxpayer over $100 billion. That’s extraordinary and left our country in a weaker position relative to Iran than when this reckless and costly war began,” Jeffries said at the gaggle attended by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Some Senate Republicans are also working to defeat a war powers resolution that has gotten closer to passing the chamber. Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted to advance the resolution for a final vote on Tuesday, while three other Republicans missed the vote. Cassidy lost his primary to Republican Louisiana Rep. Julia Letlow, who received Trump’s endorsement.
This form of resolution is not presented to the president for approval after passing the House and Senate. This type of resolution expresses congressional will that is meant to legally require the president to terminate the use of force.
A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll from May 6 found that 60% of Americans disapproved of the Iran war. U.S. inflation spiked higher than expected in April as the Iran war caused energy and food prices to rise.
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