House narrowly rejects bid to limit Trump’s Iran war powers

The US House of Representatives has narrowly rejected a resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war with Iran, underscoring how divided Congress remains over the conflict.

The vote on Thursday came down to a single ballot, with 213 lawmakers in favour and 214 against. The result followed a similar failure in the Senate a day earlier, where the measure was also defeated largely along party lines.

Despite the loss, the House vote revealed a shift among Democrats, with more members consolidating behind the effort compared with a previous attempt in March. Three Democrats who had opposed the earlier resolution — Juan Vargas, Greg Landsman and Henry Cuellar — voted in support this time.

Republican backing, however, remained minimal. Only Thomas Massie, a co-sponsor of the resolution, voted in favour. Warren Davidson, who had supported the measure previously, voted “present”, while Nancy Mace, who has voiced concerns about the war’s cost, did not vote.

The outcome highlights a broader dynamic in Washington: while criticism of the war is growing, particularly among Democrats, Republicans have largely resisted efforts to formally constrain Trump’s military authority.

Under the US Constitution, Congress holds the power to declare war, though presidents can initiate military action in cases of immediate self-defence. The Trump administration has argued that Iran’s actions since the 1979 revolution meet that threshold. Critics dispute that interpretation, saying the strikes launched alongside Israel on February 28 exceeded presidential authority.

Democrats used the failed vote to sharpen that argument.

“Servicemembers have been killed, gas prices are soaring, and the US in a worse position than before,” Representative Bill Foster said on X.

“Congress cannot abdicate its power as a co-equal branch of government and let this rogue President continue to unilaterally wage war.”

Republicans pushed back, framing the resolution as unnecessary during an ongoing diplomatic window. Brian Mast dismissed the effort as “crazy”, pointing to the two-week pause in fighting reached last week.

He also criticised Democrats for inconsistency, referencing past US military actions under previous administrations.

“When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed,” Mast said.

The votes come as ceasefire negotiations continue. Both Washington and Tehran have signalled openness to another round of talks in Pakistan after earlier discussions failed to produce a lasting agreement.

There has been some movement on related fronts. Iran has insisted that any pause in fighting must extend to Israel’s operations in Lebanon, and on Thursday Trump announced a 10-day pause there, agreed between Israel and Lebanon, though it remains unclear whether Hezbollah is part of the arrangement.