WASHINGTON — The House approved a proposal led by Democrats to cease the Iran war, urging President Donald Trump to withdraw armed forces from the ongoing conflict. Despite the House’s non-binding resolution, the vote was tight at 214-208. Four Republicans supported the measure alongside all Democrats: Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Tom Barrett, R-Mich., Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa.
Later, the Senate rejected a similar joint resolution intended to end the war with legal force, subject to a presidential veto. The Senate vote was 47-49, with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, joining every Democrat except Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., to advance the measure. Four Republicans abstained: Sens. Katie Britt, R-Ala., Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Rand Paul, R-Ky.
The Democrats pushed these votes to challenge Republicans on their stance regarding the unpopular war as midterm elections approach. Additionally, Congress aims to reinforce its authority in war declarations. Some Senate Republicans, like Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, expressed that the war shouldn’t continue beyond 60 days without congressional consent, aligning with federal law requirements. However, both voted against ending the war.
Tillis argued the 60-day period began this month, not in February when Trump and Israel initiated strikes on Iran, emphasizing the need for Congress to authorize the war once 60 days elapse.
House Republicans showed willingness to extend Trump’s deadline, yet four GOP members joined Democrats to reject the war via the Republican-controlled House, signaling the conflict’s unpopularity. Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., highlighted Congress’s alignment with public opinion against the war and its constitutional responsibility to challenge it.
Meeks mentioned Democrats have additional means to compel Trump to end the war, such as leveraging the power of federal funding before the upcoming deadline on September 30. He plans to introduce a resolution to sue the administration for bypassing congressional authority, voting scheduled for post-recess.
Public dissent has pressured Republicans in contested districts. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Pa., representing a swing district, voted against the resolution, acknowledging the war’s economic toll while stating Iran should never acquire nuclear weapons. Bresnahan linked fuel prices to the war, expressing urgency for its resolution and emphasizing reopening the Strait of Hormuz to stabilize supply chains.
Notably, seven Republicans and two Democrats abstained from voting on the House’s recent Iran measure. Congress previously expressed disapproval of the war, with the House passing a similar resolution in June. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., led the failed Senate measure, intending to record Republican positions on the widely opposed war.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., noted the extent of opposition among Americans, including skeptical “MAGA” supporters, recognizing past sentiments where Trump aimed to end longstanding conflicts rather than engage in new ones.