US House passes resolution to limit Trump's Iran war powers

The US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's authority to conduct military operations against Iran. The measure, introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was approved by a vote of 215-208. Four Republican lawmakers—Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Barrett, and Warren Davidson—crossed party lines to support the resolution, according to a report by Press TV.

The vote followed a sustained effort by Democrats in both chambers of Congress to restrict Trump's war powers regarding Iran, an initiative that has gained increasing Republican backing in recent weeks. The resolution had originally been scheduled for a vote on May 21 but was canceled by Republican leadership shortly before it was due to take place. At the time, Meeks accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of delaying consideration of the measure.

"A lot of my Republican colleagues are feeling the pressure back home when they're looking at the cost of food, the cost of gas," Meeks said. He added, "[Johnson] is feeling heat. He's trying to cover for the president. … But I think the time of him being able to cover for the president is rapidly ending."

The United States and the Israeli regime launched their latest bout of unprovoked aggression against Iran on February 28. Iran responded by waging at least 100 waves of successful and strategic retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets throughout the region. The Islamic Republic also shut down the Strait of Hormuz to enemies and their allies, sending shockwaves throughout global energy markets, including in the United States, where energy prices and, by extension, the prices of various commodities began to skyrocket. Amid the situation, Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire on April 7.

The measure, known as a concurrent resolution, must still be approved by both chambers of Congress. It would not require the president's signature. Ahead of the vote, Johnson defended lawmakers opposing the measure, telling CNN, "It weakens us, our position. I think a war powers resolution right now is very untimely, and a very, very negative, and dangerous thing for the country." According to the report by Press TV, the resolution reflects ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative branches over the scope of presidential authority to engage in military action without congressional approval.