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The House voted Thursday to direct President Donald Trump to end U.S. military involvement in the conflict with Iran, marking a bipartisan rebuke of the administration’s handling of the escalating war.
Lawmakers approved the war powers resolution 214-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats to support the measure. The resolution, introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., instructs the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes continued military action.
Republican Reps. Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky broke with their party to vote in favor of the measure.
The vote comes as fighting between the United States and Iran continues to intensify following renewed hostilities in July and after several U.S. service members were killed in recent Iranian attacks in the region.
“It is absolutely crucial that we assert our Article I Constitutional powers,” Jayapal and Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., wrote in a letter urging Democratic colleagues to support the resolution. “Especially following the most recent hostilities in Iran.”
The Senate is expected to consider a separate but similar war powers measure later Thursday.
Trump formally notified Congress on July 10 that military operations against Iran had resumed after declaring an earlier monthlong ceasefire over.
The administration maintains that the renewed conflict restarted the timeline under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which generally limits military engagements to 60 days without congressional approval, followed by a possible 30-day withdrawal period.
Administration officials have also argued that portions of the War Powers Resolution are unconstitutional.
Congress previously passed a resolution last month seeking to limit Trump’s authority to expand military operations against Iran without authorization. Democrats have since indicated they are exploring legal options to compel compliance while also considering using the appropriations process to restrict funding for the conflict.
The White House has requested $67 billion in supplemental funding to cover costs associated with the war and replenish military stockpiles, along with a proposed $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget for the next fiscal year.
Separately, House Republicans advanced a reconciliation framework Wednesday that would provide up to $73 billion for military operations related to Iran and as much as $12 billion in assistance for farmers affected by the conflict’s economic consequences.
Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the administration for continuing military operations without congressional approval.
“This administration has never sought an authorization for use of military force from Congress,” Meeks said. “Most Republicans in this chamber continue to enable it.”
