In a 215-208 vote, the House of Representatives rebuked President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran.
The measure directs the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorizes the war. The vote sends the resolution to the Senate, which advanced a similar measure last month on a procedural vote. Even if it passed both chambers, Trump would likely veto it, requiring two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override him.
The administration has furiously pushed against the effort in both the House and Senate. Wednesday's vote signals his support for the war may be slipping even among some members of his own party. Now more than 90 days into the conflict, some Republicans have expressed frustration that the war does not appear to have a clear end in sight.
The Trump administration has argued that the War Powers Act’s 60-day deadline doesn’t apply because “hostilities” ended with the ceasefire, even as the U.S. continues to enforce a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Trump blasted the vote in a post on social media Thursday, saying, 'Yesterday, in a meaningless vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Democrats, to limit my War Powers, right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Who would do such an unpatriotic thing. They know where the negotiations stand.
The Democrats are fueled by Trump Derangement Syndrome. They would rather have our Country fail than give me another, of many, victories. The four Republicans, that's a whole other story - They're GRANDSTANDERS! They should be ashamed of themselves. MAGA!!! President DJT.'
Under the 1973 War Powers Act, the president has 60 days to end hostilities if there has been no congressional authorization – though he is able to seek a 30-day extension. The same law also gives Congress the ability to end hostilities by voting on a resolution to end military action, subject to presidential veto.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, (R-Penn.), told reporters after the vote he chose to support the resolution because, 'we have to follow the law,' referring to the War Powers Act.
'We're past the 60 days, so you have two choices. You either follow the law or you change the law. You can't violate the law. That's not an option.'