Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have accused Republicans of abruptly cancelling a vote on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump's military action in Iran, just before the chamber recessed for the Memorial Day weekend. Lawmakers claim the vote was pulled because Republican leaders lacked sufficient support to block the War Powers Act resolution, which would require troop withdrawal within 60 to 90 days unless Congress declares war or authorises force.
The resolution has gained traction amid widespread public opposition to the conflict. A New York Times/Siena College poll found that 65 percent of voters disapproved of Trump's handling of the Iran war, which began in late February. The delay followed a failed vote on a women's history museum bill, after which Representative Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, demanded to know why the Iran resolution was not being considered. “Are we not voting on it because the American people are sick and tired of this illegal war?” he asked, accusing Republicans of lacking courage.
Several Democrats expressed outrage. Representative Seth Moulton, a retired Marine Corps officer, told reporters that Republicans had “p***ied out.” Representative Pat Ryan, a West Point graduate, said, “These chicken hawk motherf***ers are gonna send us home for Memorial Day weekend … and they are gonna not even give an up or down vote on continuing this war.” House Speaker Mike Johnson has insisted the United States is “not at war right now,” a stance the White House has echoed, though it has also referred to the conflict as a “skirmish.”
Some Republicans have joined Democrats in supporting War Powers Act resolutions. Representative Lou Correa noted that the vote was expected to be close, and Representative Ilhan Omar mocked Majority Whip Tom Emmer for failing to secure enough votes. The cancellation came after Trump and his allies helped defeat the reelection bid of Representative Thomas Massie, a prominent Republican critic of the Iran war. With several Republican absences, the resolution might have passed. Earlier in the week, Senate Democrats secured enough Republican support for a similar measure.
