House Passes 215-208 War Powers Resolution to Halt Military Action Against Iran, Four Republicans Break with Trump

The House voted 215-208 Wednesday to pass a war powers resolution that would halt U.S. military operations against Iran absent congressional authorization, marking the first time the chamber has approved such a measure in the ongoing conflict. The resolution was sponsored by House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY). All Democrats present voted in favor, joined by four Republicans.

The four Republicans who broke ranks were Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Tom Barrett (R-MI), according to Fox News and the Washington Examiner. Massie has been a consistent critic of the war; Davidson was described as a libertarian-aligned lawmaker who also opposed it. Fitzpatrick and Barrett represent swing districts and face potentially difficult re-election bids, according to Fox News, though the Washington Examiner noted that neither currently faces a GOP primary challenger and that Trump has already endorsed both in the midterms.

The vote came after House Speaker Mike Johnson had abruptly shut down floor action approximately two weeks earlier when the resolution appeared on the verge of passing, according to the AP. The AP reported that displeasure with the conflict has grown as it has extended past the 90-day mark under the 1973 War Powers Resolution — the law which limits a president's authority to conduct military action to 60 days, with a single 30-day extension, before requiring congressional authorization. The Washington Examiner reported that on Monday, Iran backed out of negotiations with the U.S. just short of a week after both sides had agreed to a two-month ceasefire extension, and that U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged strikes on Tuesday — the U.S. striking Qeshm Island, Iran targeting U.S. assets in Kuwait.