The US House of Representatives was expected on Thursday to reject a bid to curb Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran, amid mounting criticism over his decision to launch the conflict without seeking congressional approval.
Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on a bipartisan resolution led by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna that would require Trump to obtain explicit congressional authorization before continuing military actions in Tehran.
The measure, however, was widely anticipated to fail, following the Senate’s rejection of a similar effort, highlighting Congress’s limited willingness—especially among Republicans—to confront the White House during the early stages of the conflict. Even if passed, Trump could veto the resolution, requiring two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override, a virtually unattainable threshold in the current Congress.
The vote comes less than a week after United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran targeting missile facilities, naval assets, and critical infrastructure. The s have ed senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and triggered retaliatory strikes across the region, resulting in six American servicemember deaths, including at a base in Kuwait.
House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the administration for bypassing Congress, calling it a “war of choice” that has spread to over ten countries in the Middle East. The House resolution invokes the 1973 War Powers Resolution, directing the president to withdraw US forces from unauthorized hostilities involving Iran unless lawmakers explicitly approve continued action.
Meanwhile, House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson urged members to oppose the resolution, arguing that limiting Trump’s authority could endanger US troops and embolden Iran. “It would kneecap our own forces and take the ability of the US military and the commander in chief away in completing this critical mission to keep everybody safe,” he said.
Massie, one of the few Republicans breaking ranks, emphasized Congress’s constitutional role, stating, “The power to initiate war rests solely with Congress. Congress owes our service members a clearly defined mission so that when they accomplish it, they can come home.”
Leave a comment