Major blow to Trump as House passes war powers resolution to halt Pentagon from further strikes on Iran
By MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER and REUTERS
President Donald Trump suffered a major blow in his war efforts on Wednesday, when the House of Representatives voted in favor of a Democratic-led resolution aiming to stop the Iran war until it is authorized by Congress.
The House voted 215 to 208, as four Republicans voted with Democrats in favor of the war powers resolution, which directs the president to remove US armed forces from engaging in any more hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress, other than to defend America, an ally or partner from ‘imminent attack.’
The vote is largely symbolic as any resolution would also have to pass the Senate to become effective, and garner the two-thirds majorities in both chambers to overcome an almost certain Trump veto.
Still, it represents the latest setback for Trump in Congress despite his party’s slim majorities in both chambers and reflects growing congressional concern – even among Trump’s Republicans – over the war.
The Democrats in the House had previously tried and failed multiple times over the year to pass a resolution that would limit Trump’s ability to conduct military operations against Iran, arguing the war was illegal because the president had not sought or received permission from Congress.
But when Democrats accrued enough votes to pass a similar measure last month, House Republicans pulled a planned vote on the bill.
Meanwhile, the Senate advanced a separate, but similar, resolution last month in a procedural vote, after seven previous attempts had failed.
The US House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to restrict President Donald Trump’s war powers amid the war in Iran
The measure directs the president to remove US armed forces from engaging in any more hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress, other than to defend America, an ally or partner from ‘imminent attack’
Republicans had sought to downplay the significance of that vote, noting that three GOP senators were absent.
Those in the GOP have argued that the conflict in Iran does not amount to a war, and therefore does not require congressional approval.
Republican leaders have also warned that tying Trump’s hands in the middle of the conflict would only empower Tehran’s Islamic regime and could risk American security.
‘Remember… Iran declared war on us 47 years ago. They chant “death to America,”‘ House Speaker Mike Johnson said ahead of Wednesday’s vote. ‘The president is trying to keep the people safe.’
The White House has also tried to dismiss the war powers resolution on legal grounds, characterizing it as an ‘unconstitutional legislative veto’ over executive authority.
At the same time, the Trump administration tried to challenge the measure from a practical angle, arguing that the conflict in Iran ended when Trump called for a ceasefire back in April.
But Republican Representatives Thomas Massie, of Kentucky; Brian Fitzpatrick, of Pennsylvania; Tom Barrett, of Michigan; and Warren Davidson, of Ohio, broke rank with their party for the vote in the House on Wednesday.
‘The People’s House is sending a message: end this war,’ Massie posted on X in the aftermath.
Iranian women chat among the debris of a residential building, destroyed by previous US-Israeli airstrikes, in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday
Iranian women chat among the debris of a residential building, destroyed by previous US-Israeli airstrikes, in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday
Congressman Jared Huffman, a Democrat from California, also told The Hill that he thought having Republicans vote in favor of the measure was ‘very powerful.’
‘We’re inching closer to having both chambers of Congress declare this is an illegal war. That’s huge,’ he claimed.
‘It’s just becoming more and more untenable what he has done,’ Huffman added of Trump.
Republican lawmakers have been increasingly expressing their frustration that the war does not appear to have a clear end in sight.
Some also note that the 1973 law that empowers presidents to launch military operations without congressional approval, in the name of national defense, only gives the commander-in-chief 60 days to conduct the operation, with the option to extend it for another 30.
That window closed in early May, leading some Republicans to demand that Trump appear before Congress to approve any further military action in Iran.
But on Tuesday night, American forces launched strikes on a strategic Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran then responded by firing missiles towards military sites in neighboring Gulf states.
Debris burns on the ground in a parking lot following reports of missile and drone attacks, in Sabah Al Nasser, Kuwait June 3
According to US Central Command, American forces carried out what it described as ‘self-defense strikes’ against an Iranian military ground control facility on Qeshm Island after Iranian forces allegedly attempted attacks across the region.
CENTCOM said US troops also intercepted multiple Iranian threats before they could reach their targets.
‘Iran launched several ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors; however, all failed to hit their intended targets,’ the military command said in a statement.
According to CENTCOM, two missiles fired toward Kuwait either fell short or broke apart before reaching their intended targets, while three missiles aimed at Bahrain were intercepted by American and Bahraini air-defense systems.
The military also reported destroying three Iranian one-way attack drones that it said had been launched toward civilian vessels traveling through regional waters.
‘American forces also conducted self-defense strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island,’ CENTCOM stated.
They added that no American service members were injured during the operation and stressed that US forces remained prepared to defend themselves during the ongoing ceasefire.
Original source: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15872285/House-restrict-Trump-war-Iran.html
