The House passed a resolution Wednesday to curb President Trump's military operations in Iran, marking Congress' first successful challenge to the campaign after months of failed Democratic attempts.
The measure secured surprising bipartisan support. Four Republicans crossed the aisle: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Tom Barrett of Michigan, and Warren Davidson of Ohio. Democrat Jared Golden of Maine, who had consistently opposed earlier Iran war powers votes, joined the effort this time.
The symbolic nature of the vote, however, underscores how much work remains. The Republican-controlled Senate would need to pass identical language, and Trump has already signaled he would veto any such measure. A procedural vote in the upper chamber last month showed cracks in GOP unity when four Republican senators supported advancing a separate war powers resolution, though absences and full attendance could alter that math.
Wednesday's passage represents a dramatic turnaround from late last month, when House Republican leadership abruptly killed a scheduled vote after realizing they lacked the numbers to block it. Democrats blasted the move as cowardly.
The shifting terrain reflects growing unease within Republican ranks. While the party has largely lined up behind Trump's military campaign, the conflict's duration without formal congressional approval has strained some members. Rising gas prices have added political pressure. Several GOP lawmakers have pointed to the War Powers Act's 60-day deadline, which has now lapsed, as a crucial threshold requiring either congressional authorization or troop withdrawal.
The White House counters that the deadline's requirement does not apply because the administration negotiated a ceasefire with Iran, sidestepping the legal trigger.
The House's previous attempt to constrain the campaign ended in deadlock last month with a 212-212 tie vote, underscoring how divided the chamber remains on Trump's Iran strategy.
Author James Rodriguez: "The fact that Republicans are finally cracking shows real cracks in Trump's veto-proof support, even if this doesn't make it past the Senate."
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