US House votes down bid to rein in Trump's Iran war powers

The US House of Representatives on Thursday voted down a bipartisan effort to limit Donald Trump’s authority to wage war against Iran, amid criticism that the president launched the conflict without seeking congressional approval.

The resolution, introduced by Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Ro Khanna, would have required Trump to obtain explicit congressional authorisation before continuing military operations against Tehran. The measure was defeated by 212 votes to 219, following a similar Senate rejection the day before, highlighting Congress’s reluctance—especially among Republicans—to challenge the White House early in the conflict.

Even if the resolution had passed both chambers, Trump could have vetoed it, and overriding such a veto would have required two-thirds majorities in both the House and the Senate, an unlikely outcome.

The vote occurred less than a week after the United States and Israel launched a wide-ranging military campaign against Iran, striking missile facilities, naval assets, and other infrastructure. The strikes have killed senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and provoked retaliatory attacks across the region. Six US servicemembers were also killed in a strike on a US base in Kuwait, intensifying calls for congressional oversight.

Democrats argue the administration has offered inconsistent justifications for the campaign and has not proven that Iran posed an immediate threat requiring urgent military action. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the vote as allowing a “war of choice” and criticised Republicans for siding with Trump.

The failed resolution invoked the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which was designed to prevent presidents from committing US forces to prolonged conflicts without Congress’s consent. It directed the president to withdraw US forces from "unauthorised hostilities” involving Iran unless explicitly approved by lawmakers.

House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump, arguing that limiting presidential authority during an active military campaign would empower Iran and endanger US troops. Massie, one of the few Republicans opposing the administration, said Congress must reassert its constitutional role to provide service members with a clearly defined mission.