House Republican leaders abruptly yanked a war powers resolution off the schedule Thursday, acknowledging they lacked the votes to block it from passing. The move marked a stunning reversal for GOP leadership, which faced the prospect of its own members joining Democrats to constrain President Trump's military operations in Iran.
The House had planned to vote on the measure as lawmakers prepared for a week-long Memorial Day recess. GOP leaders pulled the plug after a whip count revealed defections they could not afford. Speaker Mike Johnson operates with virtually no margin for error on party-line votes when the chamber is at full strength.
Four Republicans had previously voted to support the resolution: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Warren Davidson of Ohio, and Tom Barrett of Michigan. More critically, Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, the sole Democrat who has consistently opposed Iran war powers measures, signaled he would flip and support the effort this time.
That combination would have handed Trump his first congressional rebuke on Iran military authority after multiple Democratic-led attempts died in previous votes. Last week, a resolution crashed to a 212-212 tie, a near-miss that galvanized support for another round.
Trump escalated pressure on wavering Republicans before the vote was abandoned. He trained his fire specifically on Fitzpatrick, telling reporters on Wednesday: "He likes voting against Trump. You know what happens with that? It doesn't work out well." Fitzpatrick pushed back in an interview, saying he intended to support the measure regardless. "We don't report to any party or any person here in D.C.," he said.
The tactical maneuvering that preceded the pullback exposed deep frustration among Democrats. GOP leaders held open a measure to establish a women's museum for 45 minutes as they worked to block the war powers resolution. House Rules Committee ranking Democrat Jim McGovern was shouted down by the presiding officer as he tried to object. Rep. Jared Huffman of California vented to reporters about the collapse: "We've gone from losing by one to tying last week to this chicken s*** retreat they did tonight."
GOP leaders plan to resurrect the measure when the House reconvenes following the recess. The timing gives them breathing room to shore up support and potentially resolve attendance issues that complicated the whip count.
The resolution carries largely symbolic weight. Even if it passes both chambers, Trump can simply veto it, and a two-thirds majority would be required to override. But passage would nonetheless represent a rare crack in Republican unity on military matters under Trump and signal legislative dissent over the absence of formal congressional authorization for ongoing combat operations.
Unease within the GOP conference has grown as the Iran conflict stretched on without a formal congressional vote. Some Republicans have cited the War Powers Act's 60-day withdrawal requirement, which has already expired, as justification for action. The White House counters that the deadline no longer applies because of the ceasefire with Iran.
Author James Rodriguez: "Republicans couldn't stomach watching their own members vote with Democrats, so they ran rather than fight. It's a temporary reprieve for Trump, not a lasting solution."
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