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.