The US House of Representatives delivered a stunning rebuke to Donald Trump over his conflict with Iran on Wednesday, voting 215 to 208 in favour of a war powers resolution that forces him to seek congressional approval or withdraw US forces. Four Republicans crossed the aisle to support the measure: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Tom Barrett of Michigan.
The resolution now moves to the Senate, where a similar measure advanced last month with the backing of four Republican defectors. It marks the fourth time the House has voted to rein in Trump’s authority to continue the war, which has now passed the 90-day threshold set by the 1973 War Powers Resolution, requiring a president to seek congressional approval for prolonged hostilities. The White House has rejected that argument, citing a temporary ceasefire in place since 8 April, though it has been broken several times by the US, Israel and Iran.
The vote’s impact is largely symbolic, as the concurrent resolution does not need the president’s signature and its legal force is unclear. Nevertheless, it highlights growing willingness among some Republicans to defy Trump, who has maintained tight control over the party through retribution against dissenters. Representative Massie recently lost a primary after Trump encouraged a rival to run against him.
Capitol Hill Republicans have shown increased defiance in recent days. Senate Republicans forced Trump to withdraw a demand for $1bn in security funding for his White House ballroom project and abandon a proposed $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation fund' that would have compensated political allies, including those convicted for the 6 January 2021 assault on the US Capitol. Public opinion polls show low support for the war, with Republicans fearing that rising fuel costs could hurt the party in November’s midterm elections.
