US House passes war powers resolution on Iran; Trump suffers house defeat

Washington: In a significant political development, the US House of Representatives has for the first time approved a war powers resolution aimed at stopping US military operations against Iran.

The vote defies President Donald Trump and reflects growing opposition in Congress to the ongoing conflict, which has reportedly lasted three months and reshaped domestic and international politics.

The measure passed with a narrow margin of 215-208, with four Republicans breaking ranks to join Democrats in support of ending the war effort.

Speaker Mike Johnson attempted to delay vote

House Speaker Mike Johnson previously tried to prevent the resolution from reaching a vote, including abruptly ending floor proceedings two weeks earlier when it appeared close to approval.

However, opposition has continued to build as the conflict drags on and as Trump continues efforts to negotiate a possible peace framework.

Democrats say “enough is enough”

Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led the push for the resolution.

“Enough is enough,” Meeks said, adding that the president must take responsibility and end what he described as a “war of choice”.

He said Americans are suffering economic consequences, including higher costs at petrol stations and supermarkets due to the conflict.

Narrow vote shows growing political divide

Although the resolution passed the House, its future remains uncertain.

Trump is expected to reject any congressional attempt to limit his authority as commander-in-chief. Still, the vote is seen as a political setback, particularly as cheers were heard in the chamber following the result.

This marks the fourth attempt by the House to restrict US military involvement in Iran. Each vote has shown increasing support for restraint as concerns grow across party lines.

In the Senate, a similar war powers resolution was advanced last month after several Republican senators broke with their party leadership.

War continues to impact economy and oil shipping routes

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the president remains focused on domestic priorities ahead of upcoming midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.

He also said he had recently spent several hours at the White House with Trump, where discussions included efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore global trade flows.

Since US involvement in strikes alongside Israel on 28 February, gas prices in the United States have increased, adding pressure to inflation and consumer spending.

Iran has also reportedly disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global passage for oil, gas and related goods such as fertiliser.

Johnson said, “We’re working on that final piece. The entire world has an interest in the Strait of Hormuz being reopen for commerce. That what he’s working on.”

Ceasefire remains fragile as tensions continue

Although a ceasefire was declared in April, it remains unstable and uncertain. Talks for a longer-term settlement have slowed, partly due to widening conflict involving Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.

Military exchanges between US and Iranian forces are still reported to be occurring despite the ceasefire announcement.

War powers resolution seen as symbolic but politically significant

The House resolution would not immediately end the conflict, but it is considered a symbolic and political challenge to ongoing military action.

The proposal now moves to the Senate, where a similar measure has already gained some bipartisan support but has not yet reached a final vote.

Rubio warns Congress over limits on presidential authority

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned lawmakers during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing that passing such a resolution could weaken US negotiating power.

He said Iran might interpret the move as a restriction on US military capability, potentially reducing incentives to negotiate.

Rubio argued that opponents of the resolution believe it could signal that “we won’t be able to do anything to them, so why make a deal?”

Wider foreign policy votes also under discussion

Congress is also considering additional foreign policy measures.

These include a Democratic-led proposal to authorise US support for Ukraine’s military operations against Russia and assist in post-war reconstruction. A vote on that measure is expected later this week.

Lawmakers are also expected to debate another war powers resolution that would block US military action in Lebanon.

Constitutional debate over war powers continues

The development highlights an ongoing constitutional debate in the United States over the balance of war powers between Congress and the President.

While Congress has the authority to declare war, the President holds powers as commander-in-chief to conduct military operations, leading to repeated disputes over authority.

If both chambers of Congress approve the resolution, it could trigger a legal challenge over executive war powers.

War Powers Act timeline under scrutiny

Under the War Powers Act, the White House is required to seek congressional approval within 60 days of military engagement.

However, the administration has argued that the current situation does not require compliance, claiming that hostilities have ended following the ceasefire declaration in the Iran conflict.

Agency inputs