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House passes resolution seeking to curb Trump’s war powers on Iran
Seven Republicans joined Democrats to approve the measure in the House. Fox News Politics reported that the effort aims to limit continued U.S. military action in Iran beyond the timeframe set by law.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday night aimed at narrowing President Donald Trump’s war powers over the military operation in Iran. Fox News Politics reported that seven Republicans joined 213 Democrats, producing a 220-204 vote in favor of the measure.
The resolution was introduced by Democrat Seth Moulton and was backed by 14 other House Democrats, including Jason Crow and Pramila Jayapal, according to the outlet. Those voting against it included 203 Republicans and Kevin Kiley, whom Fox News Politics described as an independent from California who caucuses with Republicans.
The measure seeks to restrict U.S. military involvement in Iran once the 60-day period without congressional authorization has passed. Fox News Politics noted that the 1973 War Powers Resolution generally allows a president to commit U.S. forces to hostilities for up to 60 days without approval from Congress, with an added 30-day withdrawal period in some cases.
Supporters argue that deadline has already expired and that the authority to declare war belongs to Congress. In that vein, Republican Tom Barrett told Fox News Digital before the vote that he has held that view consistently since the war powers provision expired after 60 days of engagement.
The Trump administration, however, says the president is acting within his constitutional authority as commander in chief and has defended the ongoing operation against Iran. According to Fox News Politics, the White House argues the resolution would improperly constrain the president’s ability to protect U.S. forces and national security interests.
The conflict has also become a major political flashpoint during the U.S. midterm season. Fox News Politics said the war in Iran has exposed divisions among Republicans and provided Democrats with a line of attack against Trump, accusing him of entering another prolonged conflict. The outlet also said some lawmakers and analysts blame the war for higher gasoline prices.
In that context, Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican known for criticizing Trump’s foreign interventions, tried to force a vote on impeaching Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Fox News Politics reported. Even so, most Republicans remained behind the president. The outlet quoted lawmaker Marlin Stutzman as saying Trump had handled the situation well and had kept his promise not to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Fox News Politics also noted that the Senate approved a similar resolution in June, again with some Republicans breaking ranks. Still, even if both chambers pass matching legislation, Trump has signaled opposition, making a presidential veto likely if the bill reaches his desk.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
