The House rejected a Democratic push to rein in President Trump's military operations against Iran on Thursday, falling just one vote short of passage. The tally was 213-214, with Republicans almost unanimously backing Trump's continued campaign despite the measure's narrow margin of failure.
Only one Republican crossed party lines to support the resolution. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted yes, while Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio voted present rather than oppose it outright. On the Democratic side, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine bucked his caucus and voted no. Three Republicans did not cast votes.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, would have directed Trump to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran, except in cases where immediate defense was necessary under the War Powers Resolution or Congress explicitly authorized continued military action.
"Donald Trump has dragged the American people into a war of choice, launched without congressional authorization," Meeks said before the vote. "The president has no coherent strategy, and this open-ended, undefined military engagement is precisely what the War Powers Resolution was designed to restrain."
The failure marks the second House effort to block Trump's Iran operations. In March, lawmakers fell short on a similar vote, 212-219.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump's military posture, characterizing Iran as "the largest sponsor of terrorism." The Louisiana Republican also backed Trump in a recent public feud with Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff's criticism of the war.
"A pontiff or any religious leader can say anything they want, but obviously if you wade into political waters, I think you should expect some political response," Johnson told reporters Wednesday.
The Senate had already rejected an identical measure the day prior, voting 52-47 along largely party lines to allow Trump's campaign to proceed unfettered.
Public opposition to the conflict has grown. A CBS News poll found that 60% of Americans disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, while 64% disapprove of Trump's handling of the situation. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said the president lacks a clear strategy.
Economic pressures are mounting as well. Gas prices have climbed since combat operations began, and rising costs for diesel and fertilizer have triggered concerns among Republicans about voter backlash heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Those financial headwinds could shift GOP calculations on future war powers votes.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "One Republican vote shy is still a loss, and it reveals how lockstep the GOP really is behind Trump on this one."
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