The U.S. House voted narrowly on Wednesday in favor of a war powers resolution to end the Iran War with support from all Democrats and four Republicans. President Donald Trump called the vote “meaningless.”
[RELATED: Collins Votes to End Iran War After Previous Vote to Allow It To Continue…]
“Yesterday, in a meaningless vote, the House voted, 4 bad Republicans and all of the Dumocrats, to limit my War Powers right in the middle of my final negotiations to end the War with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Who would do such an unpatriotic thing. They know where negotiations stand,” said President Trump.
Notably, President Trump has spent months repeatedly claiming that a deal is imminent, that the war has nearly ended and Iran’s military has been demolished, that Iran has surrendered, or that Iran is begging for a deal. Many of his claims surrounding negotiations have been directly denied by Iranian officials, and the war has continued to grind on.
The House voted 251-208 on a War Powers Resolution to direct Trump to end hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly issues a declaration of war.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) put forward the resolution and drew support from Republican Reps. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.).
Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) issued a statement explaining his support for the resolution.
“The War Powers Act is not a recommendation. It is the law. If the president has a case to make about why this conflict is in America’s interest, he must come to Congress and make it. That is the only way to bestow any continued conflict with the legitimacy our system of checks and balances requires. Without it, the operation — including any blockade of Iranian ports, which cannot be seen as anything but an act of war — cannot continue,” Rep. Golden said.
“My vote today supports the separation of powers that are central to our democracy. But make no mistake: In its words and actions the Iranian government has long been hostile to the United States. We cannot afford to take that threat lightly. Should Congress consider an Authorization for the Use of Military Force against Iran, I will approach that question with an open mind and an emphasis on our collective security,” he added.
The House has held four votes on similar resolutions since the war began, but this is the first time it has passed.
In the Senate, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was one of just two Republicans to vote in favor of an end to the Iran War in late April, but the resolution ultimately failed to move forward.
Even if both chambers pass the resolution, Trump would be able to veto it, making the effort largely symbolic.
